IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STMIT 

WIBSTIR,N.Y.  MSM 

(716)t72-4S03 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


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Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiquas 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notes  tachniquas  at  bibliographiquat 


Tha  Instituta  has  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  bast 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturas  of  this 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagas  in  tha 
raproduction.  or  which  may  significantly  changa 
tha  usual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  balow. 


□    Colourad  covars/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


I     I   Covars  damagad/ 


D 


Couvartura  andommagte 


Covars  rastorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  rastauria  at/ou  palliculte 


I     I   Covar  titia  missing/ 


D 
D 
D 
D 


La  titra  da  couvartura  manqua 

Colourad  maps/ 

Cartas  giographiquas  an  coulaur  ? 

Colourad  init  (i.a.  othar  than  blua  or  blacic)/ 
Encra  da  coulaur  (i.a.  autra  qua  blaua  ou  noira) 


Colourad  platas  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planchas  at/ou  illustrations  an  coulaur 


Bound  with  othar  material/ 
RaiiA  avac  d'autras  documents 


D 


Tight  binding  may  causo  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  tB  liure  serr6e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  la  long  da  la  marge  intArieure 

Blanit  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  tha  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout6es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissant  dans  la  texte. 
mala,  lorsque  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
paa  At*  filmtes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplimantairas; 


L'Institut  a  micrcfiimi  la  mailleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  ^ti  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  axemplaire  qui  sont  peut-ttre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibiiographique,  qui  pauvent  modifier 
una  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mithoda  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquis  ci-dassous. 


I     I   Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag6es 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaurtes  at/ou  pelliculAes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxe« 
Pages  dicolories.  tachatdes  ou  piqudes 


I — I   Pages  damaged/ 

I      I    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

r~UPagas  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 


Tl 
to 


T» 

P< 
of 
fil 


Oi 
be 
th 
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fir 
sit 
or 


□   Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tachdes 

r~L/Showthrough/ 
L— J   Transparence 

I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Quality  inigala  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplAmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


D 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellemant 
obscurcias  par  un  feuiilet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  M  filmies  A  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


Th 
sh 
Til 
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dif 
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bei 
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me 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  da  reduction  indiqu*  ci*dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

*J 

• 

12X 

' 

• 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

tails 
I  du 
odifier 
une 
mage 


The  copy  filmed  here  hea  been  reproduced  thanka 
to  the  generoaity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


The  imegea  appearing  here  are  the  beat  quality 
poaaibie  conaidaring  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  originel  copy  and  in  iceeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  filmA  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
gAnAroaltA  da: 

BibliothAque  natlonala  du  Canada 


Lea  imegea  auivantea  ont  M*  reproduites  avec  le 
piua  grand  aoin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  nattetA  de  I'exemplaire  film*,  et  en 
conformity  avec  lea  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covera  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  laat  page  with  a  printed  or  illuatrated  imprea- 
sion,  or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copiea  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illuatrated  imprea- 
aion,  and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illuatrated  impression. 


Les  exempiairea  origlnaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sont  filmAs  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  termlnant  aoit  par  la 
darnlAre  pege  qui  comporte  une  emprelnte 
d'impreaaion  ou  d'illuatration,  aoit  par  le  second 
plat,  aelon  le  caa.  Toua  les  autres  exemplaires 
origlnaux  aont  filmto  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  emprelnte 
d'Impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  termlnant  par 
la  darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
emprelnte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  appiiea. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
caa:  le  aymbole  »»>  signifie  "A  SUiVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Meps,  piatea,  charta,  etc.,  mey  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Thoae  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  framea  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illuatrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartea,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmfo  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  11  est  f  limA  A  partir 
de  I'angle  aupArleur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  baa,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'imegea  nAceaaaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


rrata 
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iMPiJiTrAL  AND  connscr 

MSTORY  OF  THi  WAR 

BETWEEN   TUE' 

tTNITBD  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

<■'    'coMr|li0tife -'  " 

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AND  A  VJktTWmaiB   BEC0BD  0«    THE    BVEllTB    ni<|* 
DVOED  DUBINQ  THE  CONTEST. 

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XtHfi^  of  3^ew-Tork,  86k 

8E  IT  REMEMBE9ED»  TKkton Uie tw«iit^4hMdaj ofFeltra^ 

ary,  in  ^be  fortieth  year  of  the  fndependenee  of  the  United 

]j«  S«  States  of  Amerioa,  John  Low,  of  the  mid  district,  hath  depoB< 

Ited  to  titir  office  the-title  of  a  B«ok,  the  right  whereof  he 

•clafnM  as  Prt^rietor,  in  the  words  follo\«ing,  to  nit: 

**  An  Imtmi^  and  Ckxreot  History  of  the  V#r  between  the  United 
States  of  Ainerieaj  «|td  Great  Britain ,  compridng  a  partieolar  detail  of 
theiia^nil  and  Miutary  operations,  and  a  futtifuirecord  of  tlie  events 
prodoMd ^ling  the  contest  Frmn  its  Comiheneement*  June  I8,  I8t2, 
to  the  TtiftA$  «r  f^aee,  ratified  at  the  City  of  H'ashingtou,  Fehruarv  17, 
l^ik  -<,  1^tn«ii  edition,  reviied  and  corrected.  Carefully  compiled  fronoi 
vfllcua  doicnments.'* 

In  coatormity  to  the  act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  entitled, 
**An  net  for  ibe  encoonigenieot  of  Learning,  byaeruring  the  copies  of 
lIsBpl,  Chartf.  atid  Boolqi.  to  the  autfaunrs  and  prdprietors  of  ra^h  cooies 
dmffiigflM  llflMtlilepeinmMdoHllBd  And  also  to  sm  act,  entitled  « An 
aet,  9ttii>(dei99nt>ury  to  an  aet,  ei»tiftled  an  Act  for  the  /eseunrageioent  of 
learni*  gi.1^  seeuring  the  copies  of  M^ps,  Charts,  and  Books,  to  the 
authors  and  nraprjp^arsof  snoli  capie,>i  during  the  tiniiS;thei;riii  mention- 
cd,«|id  extending  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  designiog/engniTing 
illBdctalijuig  Ustorieal  and  other  prints.** 

TllEKON   VUDDy 

,,^  Clerk  cf  the  Southern  Dittriet  qfJVewTorks 


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PREFACE. 


KO  oni»  in  tbe  moral  world,  liat  excited  itkt 
public  curiosity,  or  effected  the  general  Interest 
of  mankind,  more  than  the  discovery^of  a  west- 
ern continent,  in  the  year  149^.  Attracted  as  the 
public  mind  was  by  that  event,  yet  its  resulting 
importanoe  was  not  then  folly,  anticipated  by  the 
most  extravagant  hopes,,  or  the  most  acute  prog* 
nosties.  To  ^convert  the  natural  riches  of  th# 
new  world  to  the  advantage  of  the  old,  was  tho 
only  object  which  the  kings  of  Europe  wished  i0 
accomplish,  or  intended  to  essay.  NcUher  king 
nor  subject  expected  that  the  western  world 
would  beoome  the  seat  of  empires,  independent 
of  l!^uH>pean  rulers ;  much  less  did  Ihey  expect, 
that  the  future  roonarchs  of  the  east  would  meet 
in-the  new  world,  rivals  capable  of  tppoting  and 
defeating  attempts  at  continuing  in  poHINil  «illi^ 
jection,  the  .descendants  of  emigrants,  led  to 
tlie  new  continent  by  cupidity,  driven  to  it  b^ 
persecution,  or  banished  as  an  expiation  of  their 
crimes.  ^ 

It  was  not  until  long  after  the  first  settlement 
of  America  by  Europeans,  that  it  was  sagacious^ 
]y  observed,  that  «  the  new  world  seemed  destin- 
ed to  give  laws  to  the  old."  The  observation 
drew  forth  but  the  derision  or  contempt  of  the 
hearers  and  readers.  A  prophecy  so  improbable, 
and  which  ooaldnot,  it  was  supposed^  be  accmri!-? 


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FRETACE* 


plished,  if  at  alt,  in  a  hundred  centurfeif  tra» 
deemed  too  peorile  to«be  erediCed^and  too  diitanl 
to  be  dreaded.  « 

I'lie  Revolutionary  war  gave  the  first  snbstan- 
tial  proof  that  materials  for  all  the  [uirpotes  of 
self  government  existed  in  Amerioa.  In  proper* 
tion  as  the  genius  and  resources  of  tlie  kiliabitantt 
vere  devetoped^  in  the  same  degree  did  thej  ilnci 
advueates  in  different  parts  of  the  worlds  wba 
either  saw  with  pleasure  the  sueoessful  protpeet 
vhich  opened  itself  to  the  people  oi  the  United 
States,  (late  British  colonies,)  secretly  eneour* 
aged  and  relieved  them,  or  openly  supported  and 
assisted  them.  The  happy  termination  of  thia 
contest,  led  to  the  belief,  that  the  theories  of  po- 
litical prophets  w«re  not  only  probable,  but  their 
consummation  less  distant  than  had  been  hither* 
to  supposed. 

The  United  States;  having  by  the  treaty  of 
peace  of  17$3»  become  a  nation  by  the  consent  of 
all  other  nattehs^  had  as  if  to  begin  the  worlds 
without  any  other  capital  than  the  virtue  of  the 
citizens,  and  withoat  security  against  foreign 
aggression,  except  what  could  be  drawn  fittm 
their  ov^n  courage  and  patriotism. 

As  yet  their  population  was  Httle  more  than 
three  millions  of  inhabitants ;  the  want  of  a  well , 
consolidated  confederation,  remlcred  the  govern- 
ment weak ;  and  the  many  incidents  and^iffieul- 
ties  attending  the  attempt  to  reconcile  various 
interests  with  a  gerieral  principle,  increased  thia 
difficulty.   The  speeulations^aa  to  the  fature  desx 


"V 


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FBETACl. 


I  ' 


tinies'of  the  people  were  various.  EogYand  had 
eoDcluded  peace  pro  forma,  but  she  continued 
hostile  in  fact.  Great  Britain  was  but  a  small 
inland)  yet  her  sovereign  was  a  king  over  exten- 
sive regions)  and  many  islands  in  various  parts  of 
the  globe:  the  example  of  several  of  her  colonies 
rejecting  her  authority*  and  uniting  in  support 
of  eaeh  other,  was  dangerous  to  the  parent  coun- 
try ^  it  was  found  Impossible  to  subdue  them  by 
force*  it  was  determined  to  do  sa  by  intrigue*- 
corruption*  and  robbery. 

The  colonies  remedied  one  great  inconvenience^ 
by  forming  a  general  constitution  in  1789*  which' 
stands  an  unrivalled  instance  of  patriotism*  wis- 
dom* and  justice;  a  rapid  grawth  of  population* 
and  extension  of  commerce*  acultivation  of  liter- 
ature* arts  and  sciences,  were  fast  advancing  to  a 
point  that  would  outrival  England  in  every  respect* 

As  this  state  of  things  advanced  in  America* 
Bngland  proceeded  to  measures  of  increased  vi^  ' 
olenee  and  injustice.    Seeking  for  pretexts*  in 
principles  novel*  unknown  to  other  nations*  and  - 
even  contravening  her  own  f^stabiished  practice* 
she  left  to  America  the  aliernatire  of  submission 
to  her  will*  or  resistance  by  war;  the  latter  was^ 
resorted  to..  ^  ^ 

ThC'  history  of  the  Revolutionary  war  is  al- 
ready before  the  public. .   It  is  a  valuable  record^ 
of  what  men  determined  to  be  free,  can  do.    This  ^ 
uar  brought  into  a  phalanx  that  mass  of  mUi- 
iary  patriotisui*  whi<?h  under  the  immortal  WiOi-- 
BBjii  cofujuenced  its  career  of  glory  ut  Buukey^* 


rBKTACZ* 


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hill  I  and  terminated  it,  under  the  immortal 
'WABHiNOTONy  at  York-town. 

The  task,  now  undertaken*  must  he  interest- 
ing to  every  citizen  of  the  United  States.  A  re- 
cord of  the  second  struggle  against  the  same  en- 
•emy,  who  during  seven  year»  of  revolutionary 
contest,  carried  fire  and  sword,  the  bayonet,  tho 
halter,  and  the  tomahawk,  throughout  tlie  Unit- 
ed States,  will  surely  be  an  acceptable  treat.  - 
•  The  military  talents  which  sprang  as  if  into  a 
miraculous  existence  during  the  late  war ;  the 
patriotic  courage  which  displayed  itself  on  every 
occasion ;  their  successful  triumphs  in  almost 
every  battle,  are  proud  proofs,  that  where  geniu» 
is  free  to  act,  and  that  influenced  by  an  amov 
pafricB,.  no  dangers  are  too  difficult  to  overcome^ 
110  difficullies  too  great  to  be  subdued. 

The  apparent  military  and  naval  power  of 
England  was,  to  that  of  America,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  late  war,as  that  of  the  lion  to 
the  lamb  ;  but  the  incensed  eagle  stretched  for- 
ward his  beak,  and,  with  it  tore  the  laurel  from 
the  firiton*»  brow ;  and,  flying  over  the  waters^ 
be  wrested  with  his  talons,  the  trident  fiwm  the 
**  mistress  of  the  deep.^ 

In  giving  details  of  these  events,  these  imper* 
ishable  monuments  of  American  glory ,^  a  strict 
regard  has  been  had  to  trulh,  uninfluenced  by 
any  unworthy  consideration,  4ind  it  is  hoped  that 
^his  small  volume  will  he  found  to  contain  as  co- 
pious a  view  of  history  as  could  reasonably  b# 
•xpeeted^  within  so  circunucribed  a  oompasi^ 


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HISTORY  OF  THE  WAS,  tje. 


)verQome» 


'  AMERICA  seems  to  have  been  destined,  hf 
Frovideneey  as  the  soil  vrhich  sliould  give  births' 
strength,  and  maturity  to  rational  liberty:  in 
this  respect,  its  discovery  must  be  considered  of 
prime  benefit  to  mankind.  Columbus,  a  lover  of 
justice,  would  have  fixed  the  residence  of  lib- 
erty in  South  America,  but  this  extraordinary 
adventurer  became  the  objeet  of  persecuting  en- 
yy,  he  was  saorifieed  at  the  shrine  of  ambition 
and  tyranny  ;  and,  the  southern  peninsula,  tho 
only  part  of  the  western  continent  which  Co- 
lumbus had  visited,' was  given  up  to  cupidity^ 
plunder,  and  the  most  homfic  ill-treatment  and 
massacre  of  its  hospitable  inhabitants.  Tho 
fictitious  riches,  the  gold,  which  it  produced* 
invited  an  early  and  continued  migration  from 
the  old  to  the  new  continent,  insomuch,  that  the 
latter  has  already  lost,  in  a  great  d^ree,  its 
original  uncultivated  aspect ;  and,  were  the  ge- 
nius of  its  new  inhabitants  not  restrained Jliy  the 
policy  of  its  rulers,  would,  ere  now,  have  advanc- 
ed far  towards  all  perlbetion,  to  which  inaii 
€an  aspire.  For  more  than  300  years,  has  Soutb 
America  bowed  to  the  will  of  despots,  and  niun 
lias  presented  but  the  disgusting  contrast  of  ty- 
^nts  and  slaves.  A  patriotic  flame  has  lately 
diffused  a  gleam  of  light  through  the  darkened^ 
vtBiospliero  iibieii  overspread  the  political 


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•  HISTOET  OV  TUB  \rAS. 

^ 

glon  of  the  south ;  man  beginst  there  to  ainimr 
the  character  foi*  which  God  and  nature  had 
destined  him;  and  philanthropjr  may  hope>  that 
tlie  present  generation  will  not  pass  away,  until 
]ibartv  will  smile  over  every  part  of  America^ 
and  all  its  inhabitants  he  happy. 

I'he  inordinate  ambition  of  hereditary  gor- 
ernments*  and  their  Just  Jealousneit»  of  eaoh  oth- 
er, have  given  an  unbounded  spring  to  the  desire 
of  exteniKd  dominion  and  foreign  conquests.— 
This  spirit,  however  injurious,  has,  in  some  re- 
spects, contributed  towards  the  increased  know- 
ledge of  geography,  the  diffusion  of  general  in- 
formation, and  the  facilitating  of  a  social  inter- 
ouurse  between  the  inhabitants  of  distant  re- 
gions. 

England,  ihmed  for  the  adventurous  spirit  of 
its  inhabitants,  and  the  unequalled  ambition  of 
its  sovereigns,  could  not  remain  an  indifferent 
spectator  of  ah  European  rival  taking  posses- 
sion  of  a  new  world.  Expeditions  were  soon 
formed  for  the  more  perfect  discovery  of  the 
new  continent.  John  Cabot,  having,  obtained 
a  commission  A*om  Henry  the  7th  of  England^ 
to  discover  unknown  lands,  Imd  annex  .them  to 
the  orown,  discovered  the  eastern  coast  of  North 
America  ^  Sir  Francis  Drake,  subsequentlyv 
sailed  along  it ;  and  England,  by  right  pf  prior 
discovery,  claimed  its  sovereignty.  Gold  mines 
are  generally  confined  to  tropical  climates  ;  th# 
soil  of.  North-  America,  contiguous  to  the  sea^ 
appeared  to  be  light,  sandy,  or  unfit  for  profita* 
ble  cultivation;  the  climate  was  variable  and 
unhealthy;  the  aborigines  were  more  savago 
and  inhospitable  than  those  of  the  south.  No  • 
adequate  inducement  presented  itself  to  new  set* 
|lw%i,an(]».ba4  the  inhabUauts  of  England  iip« 


#-'-^ 


,1 


.  A 


mUTOWT  OV  TBF  ITAl. 


■eeeiiity  for  quitting  their  native  eountrjy  thf  j 
never  ivould  diteuver  a  wiiih  to  Imhftfer  tlieir 
renidence  to  tlie  then  inhospituble  climate  of 
North  America.  A  itimulut  wai  not  long 
wanting. 

The  granting  of  immenBc  traets  of  uncultiva- 
ted wilds  to  individual  or  comiianiesy  was  not 
WMy  to  induce  any  rapid  setilement.  Individ- 
uhIi  mighty  for  the  purpose  of  enhancing  the 
*>alue  pf  their  perionnl  fortunes*  inHuenee 
euiigranti  to  lettle  on  their  new  estates ;  and 
these'  settlers,  having  changed  their  residence* 
might  be  compelled  to  abide  by  a  choiee  froia 
which  it  would  bo  diflloult  or  impossible  to  re- 
cede. But  tlirir  reports  and  their  fate  would 
reach  their  friends  ;  emigration  would  ceane  or 
be  too  slow  for  any  efficient  purpose :  decrease 
of  population*  by  insalnbriiy  ol  climate*  and  the 
inruaas  of  Indians,  would  be  little*  if  at  all.  Over« 
balanced  by  births*  and  the  accession  of  trans* 
ported  felons. 

Man*  In  all  stages*  is  a  loyer  of  liberty*  rea- 
son dictates  that  he  has  rights ;  but  this  reason 
obscured  by  artificial  ignorance  and  enervated 
by  habitual  bondage*  becomes  incapable  of  ac- 
tion* and  insensible  to  the  true  extent  of  his  misen* 
ry.  The  slave  feels  pa^n*  without  knowing 
whence  it  originates,  or  how  it  siiould  be  reme- 
died. This  observation  is  strictly  applieable 
only  to  corporeal  slavery.  The  slavery,  exer- 
cised over  the  conscience*  is  that,  in  support  of 
which  no  sophistry  can  prevail ;  and*  to  whieh» 
no  term,  no  Jength  of  endurance,  can  reconcile 
the  suiTei'er.'^  No  prescription  can  justify  the 
practice  of  enslavement  in  any  case ;  and  tia 
slave*  however  abject  will  admit  it  in  cases  af- 
fecting his  ^nsoiouce.    God  has  instilkd^  iol^. 


# 


m 


io 


mSTOKT  OV  THE  IVAR* 


'!  .:•'»! 


the  beart  of  inan>  certain  Feligious  duties ;  and^ 
'whenever  the  fuliiiment  of  these  is  forbidden  by 
human  edicts,  the  injured  person  fears  not  to 
revolt  or  seek  an  asylum  against  persecution. 
With  God  on  his  side,  he  fears  no  other  power^ 
and  can  be  happy  in  a  wilderness  or  In  a  cave. 

It  is  not  now  necessary  to  enter  into  a  detailed 
view  of  the  persecutions  against  Christians  in 
Europe.  Who  that  has  not  heard  of  them  ?  It 
is  sufficient  to  observe,  that  no  difficulties,  real 
or  imaginary,  could  deter  the  persecuted  Chris- 
tians from  seeking  an  asylum,  where,  free  from 
interruption,  they- might  adore  their  God,  as 
eonscience  dictated.  America  offi;red  that  asy- 
lum ;  and  to  this  circumstance  it  is  due,  that 
the  wilderness  is  so  fast  giving  way  to  cultiva- 
tion, the  internal  resources  of  thf  country  have 
been  explored  and  rendered  operative,  the  seem- 
ing insurmountable  objects  of  the  new  coun- 
try have  disapiieared,  and  a  state  of  comfort 
equal  to  that  of  any  part  of  Europe  has  been 
produced. 

'  This  comfort  was  wickedly  marred  by  the 
British  government,  while  it  ruled  the  North 
American  colonies.  A  desire  to  proceed  to  the 
ehief  object  of  this  work,  ami  its  llniifs  preclud- 
ing any  particular  recital  of  these  evils,  leaves 
only  room  to  remark,  that  they  were  such  as  to 
ereate  much  unhappiness  in  the  colonies,  to  pro- 
duce complaints,  remonstrances,  and  petitions 
to  the  mother  country;  and  finally,  were  car- 
ried to  such  excess,  as  to  be  ne  longer  sufier- 
able. 

*  On  the  ever  to  be  remembered  4th  July,  if  76, 
the  people  of  these  colo  ies,  by  their  represen- 
taf ivf*s  in  eonf*ress  assembled,  having  puhliish^d 
ft  modierate^  but  firm,  a  grievous^  but  true  state- 


RISTOBT  Hit  TKE  WAS. 


ii 


ment  of  iho  multiplied  injuries;  infliijted  ontheniy 
by  the  British  king  and  government,  declared 
that  the  united  colonies  •*  arc,  and  of  right 
ought  to  be»  free  and  independent  states.  *'  These 
United  colonies  consisted  of  the  states  of  New- 
Hampshire,  Massachusetts,  Rhode- Island,  Con- 
necticut, New- York,  New-Jersey,  Pennsylvania, 
Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia,  North  Carolina, 
South- Carolina,  and  Georgia;  leaving  England 
in  possession  of  the  provinces  of  Upper  and  Lower 
Canada,  New- Brunswick,  and  Nova-Scotia. 

The  contest,  which  succeeded,  was  looked  on 
by  the  world,  with  astonishment :  its  novelty 
and  its  importance  excited  general  intct^est.  A 
few  people,  without  an  army,  without  arms, 
without  discipline,  or  munitions  of  war,  without 
money,  without  allies,  opposing  their  unorgan- 
ized force  against  a  nation  rich  and  powerful, 
with  numerous  ships,  armies,  and  navies,  hav- 
ing discipline,  money,  credit,  and  all  the  means 
of  warfare,  and  being  in  possession  of  the  colo- 
nies, the  inhabitants  of  which  declared  them- 
selves absolved  from  all  allegiance  to  the  crown 
of  Great  Britain,  was  a  crisis  of  uncommon  mo- 
ment. The  contest  was  long  and  severe ;  a  blood- 
thirsty vengeance  on  one  side,  led  the  British  to 
the  most  shameful  excesses^  a  determination  to 
live  free  or  die,  guided  the  people  of  America, 
under  the  direction  of  the  great  Washington., 
and  the  other  sages  and  patriots  in  the  field 
and  the  cabinet,  to  a  completion  of  all  they 
wanted,  all  they  wished.  Tyranny  looked  down, 
liberty  rejoiced,  on  the  completion  of  the  happy 
triumph. 

The  woun4  inflicted  on  the  pride  and  interest 
of  England,  by  this  disruption  of  her  empire, 
was  trulj  great^  but  still  greater  than  was  then 


m 


^^ 


I 


13 


K1ST0VT  «T  THIS  Vfktm 


«y 


n 


eontemplated.  Under  the  dominion  ofEngland* 
the  increase  of  population  would  be  slow,  the 
increase  of  eonimerce  and  manufaetures  still 
slower:  the  cotintrv  would  be  a  warehouse  for 
British  manufaclures,  the  inhabitants,  a  nursery 
fur  British  armies  Rnd  navies.  It  was  necessary 
that  a  people  should  be  free ;  that  genius  should 
be  uneheeked,  industry  unrestrained,  in  order 
to  prove,  how  far  free  men  were  superior  to 
trhatever  theory  could  conceive  of  them.  The 
«X|Mn*iiMent  has  been  suecessfuily  tried  in  the 
United  States.  -^    . .  i, , 

The  country^  of  a  monarch  would  nbt  InA  cen- 
tury recover  from  injury, such  as  had  been  suf- 
iert^d  by  the  United  8tates.  But  the  pipople  of 
America  felt  alt  their  toils  and  losses  compen- 
sated by  the  acquisition  of  freedom ;  they  stood 
.«rect,  and,  as  if  by  ma^e,  ap|ieared  in  all  the 
mi^ht  of  a  nation.  In  less  than  thirty  yearsy 
their  country  shook  off  the  appearanee  of  a  howl- 
ing; wilderness,  their  population  increased  three- 
fold, their  manufactures  increased  so  as  te  sup- 
,  ply  nearly  all  their  wants,  and  every  sea  wit- 
nessed their  immensely  increased  external  trade; 
in  short,  they  became  the  rivals  of  England. 

A  long  course  «r  wars,  and  the  revolutionary 
trar  of  Amei  ica,  more  than  any  others  increasra 
the  national  debt  of  Great  Britain  to  a  great  and 
burthensoine  amount.  To  meet  this  exigency^ 
as  well  as  to  gratify  the  national  wish,  anil  to 
provide  for  the  further  and  growing  charges  In 
support  of  foreign  colonies,  an  increased  trade 
i»as  necessary.  The  industry  of  Englishmen 
showed  itself  in  the  successful  and  unpanilleled 
extension  of  her  manufactures,  and  the  policy 
of  her  rulers  aimed  at  an  undivided  fbreiga 
comiuercei  in  support  «f  the  home  system*     ''' 


vr 


•■■*>r^- 


HrSTOBT  OT  THE  VA1U 


fS 


The  naval  successes  of  Britain,  during  the 
French  war,  had  nearly  aeoooiplished  her  vast 
design.  The  ships  of  Holland,  France,  Portu- 
gal, Spain,  and  Italy,  had  nearly  disappeared 
from  the  ocean ;  those  ef  Russia,  and  the  other 
naval  powers  of  the  north  of  Europe,  had  been 
gained  over  to  the  British  interest,  or  destroyed 
by  the  supeiiority  of  her  fleets.  The  United 
States,  although  in  a  state  of  infancy  was  yet 
t4ie  only  nation  that  had  virtue  or  courage  sufli-* 
cient  to  move  in  a  just  course,  uninflueaoed  by 
intrigue,  and  unintimidated  by  menace.  To- 
wards this  nation,  Britain  for  years  manifested 
the  most  ungenerous,  injurioas  and  cowardly 
eonduct;  amounting,  in  its  effects,  t-o  war,  while 
the  United  States  pursuing  an  honorable  and 
paciiic  course,  was  debarred  from  making  repri- 
sal. This  ene  sided  war,  had  it  been  perniitied 
to  continue,  would  have  -sunk  the  States  in  the 
esteem  of  foreign  nations,  dried  up  the  sources  of 
their  growing  greatness,  reduced  them  to  a  state 
ef  contemptible  imbecility,  and,  not  improbably, 
to  a  merited  state  ef  dependahce— they  might 
again  became  colonies— British  colonies. 

Hitherto  the  Americans  looked  but  little  to 
home  manufactures,  the  capital  of  the  merchant 
was  employed  on  the  ocean,  and  the  people  of 
the  interior  found  sufficient  employment  in  til- 
ling the  soil.  There  was  a  great  and  profita- 
ble demand  for  every  kind  of  produce,  and  the 
citizens  were  in  the  habit  of  receiving  manufac- 
tures of  all  kinds  from  foreign  nations,  and  par- 
ticularly from  England. 

Had  England  been  satisfied  to  contend  for 
commercial  superiority  by  fair  means,  she 
would  long,  very  long,  continue  to  supply  the 
United  States  with  almost  ev«ry  kind  ofaianitr 


f 


"^m^^ 


A.:' 


.f'^v. 


m^ 


JlE_ 


I 


•H 


I 


!-t 


11 


HISTOBT  OF  THE  VAlt. 


faoture ;  but  she  calculnted  that  the  p&cifie  pol- 
icy  of  the  States  would  cuntinue,  and  that  the 
political  disputes  among  her  own  citizens  would 
render  her  a  weak  enemy  even  in  war;  and  it 
is  even  probable,  that  the  resubjugation  of  the 
€olunic8  were  in  a  eertain  expected  event  con- 
templated. That  event  wasT  to  be  the  overthrow 
of  France.  Had  the  United  States  unresisting- 
ly subiHitted  until  the  restoration  of  the  Bour- 
bonsy  she  would  then  have  hud  war  with  a  ven- 
geance. 

M  The  history  of  the  present  king  of  Great 
Britain*  ,  says  the  declaration  of  independence)  is 
a  history  of  repeated  injuries  and  unsurpations.'* 
I'his  would,  at  this  day  be  a  just  representation 
Af  the  condutrt  of  Great  Britain,  from  the  ter- 
mination of  the  revolutionary*  to  the  commence* 
xnent  of  the  present  war.  Instead  of  dwelling 
m^re  minutely  on  it,  it  is  sufficient  to  say*  that 
it  was  so  continued,  so  multiplied  and  multifa- 
rious, that  the  United  Slates  had  no  alternative, 
but  submission  to  wrongs  by  which  they  would 
be  degradt>d  as  a  nation,  or  an  appeal  to  arms, 
^he  latter  was  resorted  to. 
'  On  Monday,  the  f  st  of  June,  a  confidential 
message  was  received,  in  both  chambers  of  Con- 
gress, from  the  Pi-esident  of  the  United  States, 
^hicli  was  read  with  closed  doors,  and  referred, 
in  each  house,  to  committees  to  report  thereon. 

The  British  aggressions,  to  which  the  Presi- 
dent, in  a  particular  manner,  called  the  atten- 
tion of  Congress,  were,  f     \ 

1.  Impressments  of  American  citizens  wbilo  sail* 
ing  on  the  highwr^y  of  nations,  dragging  them  on 
boiird  their  ships  of  war,  and  forcing  them  to  serve 
against  nations  in  amity  with  the  United  States,  and 
even  to  assist  in  aggressions  on  their  fellow  citizemi 
vhen  met  on  the  high  se&Si 


BISTORT  OF  THE  VfAU. 


15 


.  3.  Violating  the  rights  and  peace  of  our  coasts 
and  hurbours)  harradsing  our  departing  commerce, 
and  wantonly  spilling  American  blood  within  our 
territorial  jurisdiction.  .,  » 

3.  Under  pretended  blockades)  plundering  our 
commerce  in  every  sea)  no  adequate  force  being  ap- 
plied to  render  such  blockades  legal)  and  their  being 
enfot'ced  from  the  date  of  the  notification)  by  which 
they  had  a  retrospective  effect. 

4.  Illegal  blocluideS)  under  the  name  of  Orders  in 
Council. 

5.  The  employment  of  a  secret  agent)  within  the 
United  States,  with  a  view  to  subvert  our  govern- 
ment) and  dismember  the  Union. 

6.  Encouraging  the  savage  Indians  to  make  war 
en  the  people  of  the  United  States. 

The  blockade,  under  the  name  cf  Ortlers  la 
Council,  ^as  the  only  charge  which  the  British 
minister  pretended  to  juhtify  ;  and  this  not  oa 
any  law  of  nations^  but  as  an  act  of  necessary  re*- 
taliation  on  France*  for  equally  illegal  blockades^ 
under  the  names  of  Berlin  and  Milan  Decrees. 
It  should  be  here  remarked,  that  one  of  the  Bri- 
tish illegal  acts  was  dated  in  May»  1806,  and 
eould  not  be  a  retaliation,  because  it  was  anter 
cedent  to  (he  French  decrees.  It  should  also 
be  observed,  that  the  Brilishy  after  the  publica- 
tion of  the  Frencli  decrees,  declared  that  the 
blockade  of  May,  1806,  was  comprehended  in  the 
Orders  in  Council,  dated  subsequent  to  the 
French  decrees ;  thus  endeavouring  to  prove  that 
a  blockade,  actually  instituted. before  the  French 
decrees,  must  be  considered  as  property  com-> 
menced  after  the  promulgation  of  the  French 
decrees.  x='      ■■.-■:  .■■-  i-''Slu^ :-'■■: I. 'i^H 

The  object  of  this  manoeuvre,  was  to  declare^ 
that  should  the  Fi*encli  decrees  be  repealed,  the- 
repeal  of  the  British  Orders  in  Couneii  shoiilil 


-•  J.,-  r  - 

•  "   '     r 

■        .■><,. 

0 

■■v-\ 

i 

to 

« 

■•   A 


16 


SXSTORT  OF  THE  WAi; 


follow,  and  thus  each  belligerent  proceed  to  Pe» 
peal  their  respective  edicts,  part  'passu,  accord'- 
ing  to  their  respective  dates,  until  all  the  ofieir- 
sive  decrees  should  be  annulled. 

>Vhen,  however,  (he  French  decrees  had  been 
annulled,  the  British,  under  (he  most  equivocat- 
ing, flimsy,  and  false  pretexts,  continued  to  act 
on  their  Orders  in  Council ;  until  after  the  decla- 
ration ul'war  by  America.  It  is  true  that  (he 
British  government  could  not  be  acquainted  witk 
the  declaration  of  war  at  the  time  of  the  repeal 
of  the  Orders  in  Council,  it  must,  however,  be 
Qonccded,  (hat  they  were  af^quaintcd  widi  the 
American  embargo,  which  was  generally  under- 
stood to  bo  pi'eparatory  to  war ;  nor  could  they 
doubt  that  war  would  be  deelared,  unless  they 
htlieved  that  America  had  lost  all  political  vir- 
tue. A  state  of  war  superceded  all  use  which 
the  British  could  make  of  (he  Orders  in  Councik 
Their  repeal  was  marked  by  the  greatest  cou^ 
tempt  for,  and  insult  (o  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Calhoun,  from  the  commiKee  of  foreign 
relations,  to  whom  the  President's  message  wa» 
referred,  by  the  house  of  Representatives,  made 
a  long  and  luminous  report  of  the  Sd  June,  ISI29 
which  concluded  by  reeommending  an  appeal 
TO  ARMS.  ^t^i-jfi^r.  ?->a  .r,'^- '  . 

The  report  was,  after  two  ineffectual  motions 
ie  have  the  doors  opened,  ordered  to  lie  on  the 
«able. 

Air.  Calhoun,  from  the  same  committee,  on 
leave  given,  presented  a  bill,  declaring  war  be- 
tween Great  Britain  and  her  dependencies,  ami 
the  United  States,  and  their  territories.  This 
bill  was  warmly  opposed  and  debated  for  two 
days;  when  (he  quesdon  being  taken,  shall  the 
said  bill  pass  ?  It  was  resolved  in  the  afSrmst- 
tiye. 


::.-s»-  ■•    ., 


mSTORY  OF  TAB  WAR. 


% 


The  Yeas  and  Nayo  were  as  follows :  > 

YEAS. 

J^exv-Hampahire.  Dinamoor,  Hall,  and  Hipper.— Si 

Masaachuaetta.  Seaver,  Carr,  Greeny  RichardaoDi 
Turner,  and  Widgery. — 6. 

Jihode-Ialand,     .None.  \  'f  •    '^    , 

Vermont,    Fiak,  Shaw,  and  Strong. — 3.  -   . 

Connecticut,     None. 

J\/ew  York.    Pond,  Avery,  and  Sage.— 3.  ^^ 

JVew-Jeraey.    Condit,  and  Morgan.— 2. 

Pennaylvania.  Seybcrt,  Anderson,  Brown,  Ro» 
berts,  Findiey,  Smilie,  Lyle,  Whitehill,  Bard,  Davia, 
Lefevcr,  Hyneman,  Piper,  Lacock,  Crawford,  and 
Smith — 16.  ^     *    *^ 

Deiaxvare,     None. 

Maryland.  Kent,  Little,  M'Kim,  Ringgold,  Brown, 
and  .\rcher.— 6. 

Virginia,  Nelson,  Gholaon,  Goodwyn,  Newtony 
Taliaferro,  Dawson,  Basset,  Smith,  Hawea,  Roane> 
M^Koy,  Pleasants,  Clopton,  and  Burwell— >14.  --• 

JVorth-Carotina.  Alston,  Biackiedge,  Macon,  Klng» 
Cochran,  and  Pickens.— 6. 

South'Carolina.  Williams,  Cheves,  Lowndes,  But* 
ler,  Calhoun,  Earle,  Winn,  and  Moore.—- S^ 

Georgia.     Troup,  Bibb,  and  Hall.— 3. 

Kentucky.    JohnsoD,^  Desha,  New, '  M^Kee,  an4   . 
Ormsby.— 5.  <% 

Tenneaaee,     Rtiea,  Grundy,^  and  Sevier.— 3»   ^^,.|* 

Ohio,    Morrow.— •!.  .       .    ./    l^vI/ • 

NAYS.  *  ,{'::t 

M'evf-Hamfiahire,     Bartktt,  and  Sullivaii.— df« 
Maaaachuaetta.      Quincy,    Reed,    Taggart,    E]y> ;. 

Brigham,  White,  Tullman,  and  Wheaton — •^,  *^  ; 

Rhodc'Ialand.     Potter  and  Jackson.-^3. 
Vermont.     Chittenden.  —  1 .     -.     '^ii  -  jj., 

Connecticut,   Sturges,  Davenport,  Mosely,  Champ*  • 

ton,  Tallmadge,  Pitkin,  and  Law— 7. 
Actif-  York*    Bleecker,  Emot,  Cooke,  FMcht  fjiold* 


--V; 


f.  'i 


J I 


ia 


BISTORT  OF  THE  WAV. 


Satnmons,  StoW)  Tracy,  Van  Cortlancltt  MitchilU  and 
Matcalf.— 11. 

JVewJeraey,    Boyd,  Hufty,  Maxwell,  and  New- 

Wld.— 4. 

Pennaylvania.    Milnor,  and  Rodman.— -a.    ' 

Delaware.     Ridgely — I. 

Maryland,,     Key,  GoldBborough,  and  Stewart.— 3^ 

Virginia.    Randolph,  Lewis,  Baker,  Brcckenridgc, 
and  Wilson — 5. 

JVorth'Carolina,    Pearson,    M'Bryde,  and  Stanf- 

ftffd — 3. 

South' Carolina,    TToner 

Georgia.    None.. 

Kentucky.    None,  \ 

Tennessee.     None. 

Ohio.    JXone. 

Yeas    79 
;jf  %I^ays    49 


.1  *.-rt 


lyiajority  for  War         30 

On  the  5tli  of  June,  a  confidential  message 
iKas  received  b^  the  Senate,  from  the  House  of 
Bepresentfitives,  by  Mr.  Macon,  and  Mr.  Find- 
]e>,  two  of  their  menibcrs— ^Mr.  Macon>  ehair- 
Bian: 

"  Mr.  President— The  House  of  Representatlreit 
lluve  puBsed  a  bill,  entitled,  *  An  act  declaring  war 
between  Great-Britain  and  her  dependencies  and  the 
tJnited  States  and  their  territories  ;  in  which  they 
tsk  the  concurrence  of  the  Si^nate ;  and  request  that 
the  bill  be  considered  confidentially."  And  they 
Withdrew* 

The  bill,  from  the  House  of  RepreientAtiveSy 
wvs  before  the  Senate,  from  day  to  day*  until 
ihe  I7th  June.  It  underwent  a  very  enlarged 
iisQiissiont  met  with  much  and  violent  oppo* 
wtMOxbut  finally  passed  that  bodjf.  on  th« lattec 


''-:-A 


>  Vi, 


*;^^:  ■': 


„,„  :j!',,^.-?tcl». 


\  ■» 


fllSTOBT  OT  THB  WAI« 


f» 


day ;  there  appearing  for  its  passage,  19 ;  against 

it,  13. 
The  act  was  passed  into  a  law  on  the  18th,  in 

the  following  words : 

'-'      AN  ACT  ^ 

Declaring  War  betvieen  the  United  Kingdom  o/* 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland^  and  the  dependencies 
thereof t  and  the  United  Statea  qf  America^  and 
their  territories* 

BE  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of^efire* 
sentativea  qf  the  United  Statea  qf  America,  in  Con» 
greaa  aaaentbled,  That  WAR  he,  and  the  same  it 
hereby  declared  to  exist  between  the  United  King* 
doiu  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland^  and  the  dependent 
cies  thereof,  and  the  United  States  of  America)  and 
their  territories ;  and  that  the  President  of  the  Unit* 
ed  States  be,  and  he  is  hereby  authorised  to  use  tlie 
whole  land  and  naval  force  of  the  United  States,  to 
carry  the  same  into  effect,  and  to  issue  to  private 
armed  vessels  of  the  United  States,  commissions  or 
letters  of  marque  and  general  reprisal,  in  such  form 
as  he  shall  thmk  proper,  and  under  the  seal  of  the 
United  States,  against  the  vessels,  goods,  and  effects 
of  the  government  of  the  same  United  Kingdom  of 
Great  Britain  and  Irelapd»  and  the  subjects  thereo£> 

June  18,  1813,  '      ' 

APVRovsD,  JAMES  MADISON. 

On  the  following  day  (I9th  June)  war  was 
declared,  by  proclamation,  the  injunction  of  se-^ 
ereey  being  previously  removed  in  both  houses 
•f  Congress^ 

A  peace  of  nearly  SO  years,  during  which  the 
Americans  attended. but  little  to  improvements 
in  the  arts  of  war,  rendered  them  apparently  f>: 
Tery  unequal  match  fur  a  nation,  whose  armies 
and  navies  were  more  oumecous  than  they  had 
iKsn  at  any  forsier  peiisd.    Xhs  bsslif isntls  of* 


r^  I 


i:. 


I 


II 


'■^ 


w 


to 


BIITORT  OF  THE  WAS^ 


America  feared  much  for  the  fate  of  the  little 
Amerioan  navy.  It  was  also  supposed  that  our 
undisciplined  armies  must  experience  several 
defeats  from  the  well  trained  regulars  of  Eng* 
land  I  hut  those,  who  knew  any  thing  of  the  re- 
volutionary war,  felt  no  deuht  as  to  what  would 
be  the  event  of  the  present.  The  wonderful 
exploits,  and  happy  issue,  that  remains  to  be  re- 
oonled,  will  show,  that  even  the  warmest  en- 
thusiasts did  not  probably  anticipate  renown  and 
glory,  such  as  was  in  store  for  Amerieans. 

The  public  prints,  on  both  sides,  were  warm 
in  their  denunciations  of  their  respective  oppo- 
nents, and  threats  of  what  would  and  could  be 
performed.  The  following  are  given  as  speci- 
mens. 

From  the  London  Courier, 

*(  America  knows  not  that  the  vigour  of  the  British 
empire  increases  with  the  necessity  of  exerting  it— 
that  our  elasticity  rises  with  the  pressure  upon  ns— 
that  difficulties  only  make  us  more  firm  and  un*  taunt* 
ed— that  dringers  only  give  us  the  additional  meanb  of 
overcoming  them.  It  is  in  such  a  state  of  affairs,  in 
such  a  great  crisis,  that  a  nation  like  Great  Britaia 
becomes  greater.  We  are  now  the  only  bulwark  of 
liberty  in  the  world— |>laced,  a  little  spot,  a  speck  al- 
most on  the  ocean,  between  the  old  and  the .  new 
world,  we  are  contending  with  both  ;  with  one  arm 
we  are  beating  the  armies  of  the  master  of  the  Con- 
tinent of  Europe,  and  with  the  other  we  shall  amite 
Aia  Pi  e/ect  on  the  Continent  qf  America."    . 

?J  Ji     Fpom  the  JVew- York  Morning  Poat, 

'  «  With  a  stone  and  a  aling  only,  America  com* 
meiiced  the  war  of  I'ldependence.  W^ithout  arms^ 
without  clothing  without  monc) ,  and  without  credit^ 
we  took  the  field }  relying  upon  stout  hearts,  and  the 
as8i»tancg  of  Uod  for  the  success  of  a  rigMcous^ 


y^ 


^      «  ■ 


HISTOBT  OT  TBE  WAS.  tl 

cause.  The  event  has  prayed)  that  with  such  reli- 
ances, a  nation  has  nothing  to  fear.  Our  country  has 
again  thrown  itself  upon  the  protection  of  the  Lord 
of  Hosts ;  we  need  but  prove  faithful  to  him  and  to 
ourselves.  Victory  will  again  crown  our  eflfortS)  and 
peace  and  plenty  reward  us  for  our  toils.  Who,  that 
is  truly  an  American,  will  despair  of  the  success  of 
his  country ;  who  will  dare  to  believe  we  can  be 
otherwise  than  CONQUERORS  ?  We  had  imagin* 
ed  this  impossible,  except  with  the  agents  of  the  ene* 
my  ;  yet  in  a  crisis  so  important,  not  only  to  us,  but 
to  posterity,  we  have  found  that  the  spirit  of  treason 
has  dared  to  stalk  abroad,  even  at  noonday,  amongst 
us.  Is  the  enemy  so  strong  in  the  camp-— so  confi« 
dent  of  support,  as  to  hazard  a  fearless  defiance  i 
We  are,  it  is  true,  proud  to  exist  in  a  land  of  free- 
dom— but  when  men  threaten  us  with  giving  the  as- 
sistance of  their  pens  to  the  Cause  of  our  adversaries^ 
who  will  hesitate  to  say  that  such  freedom  becomes 
traitorous  V 

The  stato  of  the  regular  army  wap^  at  thit 
time,  such  as  scarcely  to  deserve  the  name.— 
The  militiaf  with  the  exception  of  a  few  uni- 
form companies  in  the  ciliesy  eonsisted  of  a  veo- 
manry  and  'others  aeeustomed  to  parade  lor  a 
few  hours  each  year,  some  with  bad  armtf»  oth- 
ers without  any.  The  preparations  for  war  on 
the  land,  was  confined  to  an  expedition  under 
the  command  of  General  Hull»  of  which  notice 
11^11  be  taken  in  the  proper  place.  The  navy 
consisted  of  the  foUowing  vessels. 

Liat  qf  American  FeaaeU,  and  their  force* 


President, 

44 

Com.  Rodgers.          '^ 

Constitution,   .' 

44 

Captain  Hull.              '-^ 

United  States, 

44 

Decatur.. 

Chesapeake, 

36 

Ordinary. 

New-York, 

3S 

Do. 

u 


•,*  ^ 


■I 


y 


BIITOBT  OV  THB  WAR. 


11 


Constellation} 

36 

Coiigreti} 

se 

Bottoni 

S3 

Essex, 

ss 

AdainSf 

39 

II 


•J    J 


Ordinary. 
Cupt.  Smith: 
Ordinary. 
Capt.  Porter. 
Ordinary. 

CORVBTTI. 

Jobn^  AdamS)       36        Capt.  Ludlow. 

•HIPS   Of   WAR. 

16        Capt.  Jonei* 
Id  Lawrence. 

r>^  iRIOi. 

16        Com.  Woolsey. 
16        Lieut.  Caroll. 
16  Crane. 

8CH00WBRS. 

12  Lieut.  Gasden. 

13  Sinclair; 
13  \  Blakely. 
1 3                   Bainbndge 

170  Gun  Boats,  Capt.  Shaw. 

BOMBS 

Vcn 
S|>it 

•fitna,  V  '■'"*'■   y  htm  xmmti: 

Cdinmodore  Rtodgers,  being  at  New-Tork«  on 
receiving  the  President's  proclamationy  announo- 
ine  waPf  addressed  his  men  on  the  oecusionf 
offering  their  wages  and  a  discharge  to  such  as 
were  unwilling  to  risk  their  lives  with  him.  A 
general  huzza  preceded  the  declaration  of  every 
individual  to  «  stand  or  fall  with  the  Commo* 
dore."  The  anchor  was  heaved,  and)  before 
night,  the  Commodore  passed  the  light-hQijse  of 
Sandy-Kook,  and  |iroceeded  to  sea,  having  un- 
der his  commund,  the  fri||ate8  President^  Uoited 


Wasp, 
Hornet, 

Oneida, 

Siren, 

Argus, 

Vixen, 
Nautilus, 
Enterprise, 
Viper, 


mgeance,  ). 

itfire,  r 

tna,  C 

isuvius,  J 


Ordinary^ 


HirrOBT  OV  THE  W4B. 


ss 


19<ate«,  and  CongreM»  and  the  sioopg  of  ^ar 
Hflf'ict  and  Argui.  The  Commodoiv  I'cturmMl 
to  BoHton  after  a  eruise  of  72  days,  during 
which  he  passed  within  ono  day's  sail  of  the  Brit- 
iHh  ehannei*  passed  near  the  Island  of  Madeira^ 
and  the  Azores*  and  returned  by  the  banks  of 
Nt^wfoundland  and  Cape- Sable.  He  made  7 
captures  and  1  re-eapture^  and  chased  two  Brit- 
ish frigHtes,  one  of  them  the  Belvidera.  I'his 
cruise  was  of  great  benefit,  as  it  eompelled  the 
enemy  to  eoneentrate  his  furce*  by  which  a  vast 
quantity  of  property  was  saved  from  falling  into 
the  enoir.y*8  hands. 

'I'he  Prettident,  while  chasing  the  Belvidera^ 
received  a  eonsideruhle  number  of  slioi  in  her 
sails  and  rigging,  but  was  not  materially  injur- 
ed. Due  of  the  Fresident*s  guns  bursted.  by 
whieh  S  men  were  killed,  and  Jiinteen  wounded. 
By  this  aceident,  the  Commodore's  leg  was  fiac- 
tu^ed.  The  oha«e  lasted  from  6,  ▲.  m.  on  the  23d 
June,  until  midnight. 

Or)  the  day  after  the  Commodore  sailed,  the 
following  ap|)eured  in  the  New-York  Colum- 
bian, and  aerounis  for  the  escape  of  hl«  Briton* 
nio  Majesty's  vessels  of  war,  Belvidera  and  Tar- 
tarus, which  had  been  for  some  days  off  Saudy- 

UOOk.  '    —  -         ; 

*  ■.  ^  «*  •' 

■\ 

**  It  is  undoubtedly  a  fact,  that  dispatch-boats 
with  info)  mution  have  bef  n  sent  off  to  the  British 
vessels  which  were  cruising  off  the  hcirbour*  since 
the  df  clar.ition  of  war.  By  ibhotn  they  were  sent 
offf  it  is  not  necessary  at  present  to  mention.  Bi^t 
this  mu<:h  miiy,  and  ought  to  be  saidi— that  if  it  was 
dune  by  an  Amerii  m  citizer*,  he  has  committed  trea* 
«on  by  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  and  deserves, 
and  may  receive  a  hanging  for  it.  There  is  no  sus- 
picion) however)  entertained)  that  such  an  infaraoui 


%  ; 


3^ 


sir 


BMTORY  OV  THE  WAS. 


act  has  been  done  by  any  American.  As  it  has  there- 
lore  been  the  act  of  the  subjects  of  the  king  of  Eng- 
land, whether  they  are  in  or  out  of  office,  the  act  is  a 
Tiolation  of  the  hospitality  which  tolerates  their  re- 
sidence in  our  city^  and  calls  loudly  upon  the  consti- 
tuted authorities  to  put  the  law*i  immediately  in  force 
against  alien  enemies,  and  to  rid  the  city  of  spies,  or 
at  least  of  such  as  disgrace  their  character  by  acting 
in  so  infamous  a  capacity." 

It  Is  however  a  lamentable  fmi,  that  the  ene- 
my had  his  adherents  within  the  United  States, 
oonsisting  of  native  cilizeni»  as  well  as  of  for- 
eigners. The  public  were  apprised  of  the  in- 
famous and  cowardly  means  used  by  the  British 
to  corrupt  the  citizens,  by  the  agencv  of  hired 
inf*endiaries  among  whom  the  notorious  John 
Henry  was  conspicuous.  I'be  first  effusions  of 
the  press  were  watched  with  care,  and  the  citi- 
zens indignant  at  the  conduct  of  the  British  gov- 
ernment^ which  rendered  war  not  only  necessa- 
ry*  but  unavoidable,  were  ready  to  construe 
every  opposition  to  government,  into  an  act  of 
adhesion  to  the  enemy.  The  spirit  of  1776 
seemed  to  revive,  and  the  terms  **  Whig"  and 
« Tory,"  were  again  coming  into  use.  The 
party,  which  designated  itself  as  **  Federal,"  was 
Jong  opposed  to  the  officers  of  the  general  gov- 
ernment :  and  were  in  the  practice  of  condemn- 
ingt  opposfng,  and  tliwartmg  all  its  measures. 
Iliis  party,  to  be  consistent,  also  opposed  the 
"War. — ^IThere  was  another  party  opposed  to  war, 
merely  because  it  must  prove  injurious  to  Eng- 
land ;  this  was  properly  a  British  tory  party, 
and  should  be  distinguished  from  those  federal- 
ists, who,  notwithstanding  their  opposition  to 
men9  were  yet  Ameincane.  The  tory  endeavour- 
ed to  screen  himself  beneath  the  semblance  of 


i'^ 


%  ' 


\, 


HISTORT  OF   THE  WAS. 


'■«'- 


ft» 


-?•  ■• 


federalism  ;  and  the  federalist,  who  could  weaV 
}y  lend  the  mask,  should  not  complain,  if  both 
should  be  taken  for  lories. 

There  were  several  editors  of  federal  politios 
who  desei*ved  and  received  the  applause  of  their 
political  opponents,  for  conduct  pursued  inime* 
diately  subse(|uent  to  the  declaration  of  war. 
The  following  extract  from  a  federal  paper,  de- 
serves particular  notice : 

From  the  United  Siatea''  Gaiette,  firinted  at  Thila^ 

delfihia, 

"  The  people  of  this  country,  whatever  may  be 
their  opinions  of  this  incomprehensible  war,  demand, 
and  will  insist  that  it  now  be  carried  on  with  the  vi- 
gour necessary  to  acconipUsh  the  object  of  all  war, 
konour  while  it  lasts,  and  real  peace  and  isecurity 
when  it  ends.** 

A  paragraph  of  a  seemingly  difiei*ent  com- 
plexion, appeared  immediately  after  the  decla- 
ration of  war,  in  the  **  Federal  Republican,*' 
printed  vA  Baltimore,  and  «dited  by  Mr.  Wag- 
ner.   It  was  in  the  following  words : 

<<  We  Tnean  to  represent  in  as  strong  colours  as  we 
are  capable,  that  the  war  is  unnecessary*  inexpedient, 
and  entered  into  from  partial,  personal,  and  as  we  be- 
lieve, motives  bearing  upon  their  front,  marks  of  un- 
disguised foreign  influence,  which  cannof  be  mistak- 
en. We  mean  to  use  every  means  of  ^constitutional 
argument,  and  every  legal  means,  to  render  as  odious 
and  suspicious  to  the  American  people,  as  they  de- 
serve to  be,  the  patrons  and  contiivers-of  this  hifi;hly 
impolitic  and  destructive  war,  in  the  fullest  persua- 
sion, that  we  shaU  be  supported,  and  ultimately  ap- 
plauded by  nine>'tenths  of  our  countrymen,  and  that 
our  silence  would  be  treason  to  them." 

The  citizens,  in  a  state  of  high  irritation,  pro- 
ceeded in  the  evening  of  the  22d  June,  to  Mr« 


m 


BIST6BT  OF  THE   WAS. 


t 


Wagner's  printing  office,  whicli  was  destrejed. 
This  procedure  was  followed  by  some  rioting; 
And  the  paper  was  removed  to  Georgetown^ 
(Col.)  where  it  continued  to  be  printed. 
;  On  the  7th  July,  an  order  was  issued  from 
the  departmentof  state  of  the  United  States,  re- 
quiring all  British  subjects  to  register  their 
names,  ages,  places  of  residence,  persons  com- 
posing their  families,  &c.  at  the  office  of  the 
marshal  of  the  United  States,  for  the  district  in 
which  such  subjects  resided.  This  order  was 
followed  by  others  directing  alien  enemies,  who 
were  engaged  in  foreign  commerce,  to  remove, 
from  the  vicinity  of  the  sea  or  tide  water.  The 
InformattDn  constantly  conveyed  to  the  enemy^ 
from  the  ports  nud  harbours  ef  the  United 
^States,  was  supposed  to  render  such  a  measure 

'  necessary.  It  would  be  much  to  the  honour  of 
the  eitizens,  if  tliis  treasonable  intercourse  with 
the  enemy  were  confined  ho  aliens ;  subsequent 
inforuiation,  obtained  at  the  navy  department 
-of  the  United  States,  has  sufficiently  proved  that 
several  profligate  citizens  have  also  held  coni- 

'  municatlons  with>  and  supplied  the  wants  of  the 
enemy. 

A  cartel  ship  arrived  in  July,  at  Boston,  from 

Halifax,  and  delivered  on  board  the  U.  States* 

frigate  Chesapeake,  three  seamen,  formerly  ta- 

.  ken.  out  of  that  frigate,  by  the  British  frigate 

licopard. 

It  will  be  recollecte^I  that  the  Leopard  attack- 

'  ed  the  Chesapeake  in  time  of  pdace,  while  the 
latter  was  unsuspicious  of  an  attack,  and  unpre- 
pared for  defence.  The  Chesapeake  was  fired 
Into,  boarded,  and  these  men  taken  by  force 
from  her.  ^ 

Hemonstrance   du   the   part  of  the  United 


,f  - 


HiSTOBT  OF  THE  IRTAlt. 


States,  was  made  to  the  British  goTernndenty  anif 
redress  demanded  for  this  wanton  breach  of  the 
laws  of  nations.  The  British  government  dis- 
avowed any  agency  in  the  act ;  but  yet  promote 
ed  the  commander  of  the  Leopard,  not  to  thd 
yaif]  arm  of  a  ship,  but  to  the  command  of  a  7^. 
The  restoration  of  these  men  had  been,  for  some 
time,,  promised  by  the  British  government  t  *t 
was  pleasing  to  see  it  effected  so  soon  after  the 
declaration  of  war.  Whether  the  war  had  any 
influence  in  this  transaction,  must  be  matter  of 
eoryeoture,  in  which  tlie  reader  will  exercise 
his  own  opinion. 

This  is  not  the  only  instance  in  which  Vfvt 
produced  a  change  to  those  Americans  who  were 
Impressed  and  confined  on  board  British  men  of 
war.  Several  of  them,  having  jd^llned  serving 
against  their  country,  were  sent  to  prison  as- 
prisoners  of  war,  andJbecame  entitled  to  be  lih* 
crated  by  exchange.  This  mode  of  treating: 
them,  after  their  character  aa  An^erican  citi< 
zens,  was  acknowledged,  was  certainly  unjust ; 
they  should  have  been  fully  released,  not  hav- 
ing been  taken  in  tune  of  war,  or  in  arms,  they 
were  entitled  to  rank  as  non-combatants. 

On  the  12th  July,  Mr.  Foster,  the  late  British 
minister,  and  Mr.  Barclay  late  consul,  departed^ 
from  the  United  States,  at  New- York,  on  board 
the  British  flag  of  truce  Colibri.  These  gen-^ 
tlemen  were  much  esteemed  for  their  private 
amiable  qualities. 

The  first  British  victory  over  the  American 
fleet,  happened  on  the  20th  of  July.  On  this  day 
the  United  States'  schooner  Nautilus,  Lieutenant 
Crane,  fell  in  with  a  fleet  of  the  enemy,  and  was 
captured,  after  a  chase  of  eight  hours.  No 
honour  was  lost  by  the  Americans  on  this  octr 


\i^ 


■.  ■( 


!  1 


i 


t:.| 


I 


I 


J' 

\ 
1! 


i   5  ni- 


t   ii 


i 

99 


BUTOST  OV  THK  WAR; 


tasioti  ^  tbe  tast  disparity  of  force,  rendered  re> 
•istanee  as  imprudent,  rs  it  ¥rouId  be  unavailinr. 
The  brave  commander's  sword  was  returneo> 
b>  the  Bi'itish  officer^  Com.  Brooke^  as  an  ac- 
knowledgment of  the  skill  and  bravery  iiritb 
which  he  endeavoured  to  save  his  ship.  Lient« 
Crane,  and  his  crew,  were  afterwards  honourably 
acquitted,  by  a  court  of  enquiry,  of  all  censure 
In  the  loss  of  the  Nautilus. 

On  the  17th  of  this  same  month,  the  frigate 
.  Constitution,  Captain  Hull,  chased  a  British  fri- 
gate into  a  British  fleet,  and  was  chased  in  turn, 
on  the  following  morning,  by  the  enemy,  consist- 
ing of  a  ship  of  the  line,  four  frigates,  a  brig, 
and  a  seht  oner.  The  chase  continued  60  hours; 
*]'he  Constitution  arrived  safe  in  Boston.  The 
great  address,  by  which  Captain  Hull  saved  his 
ship,  drew  forth  the  admiration  of  the  enemyy 
and  the  applause  of  his  countrymen. 

It  wa»  the  wish  of  the  Americans,  as  they 
also  endeavoured  in  a  former  war,  to  induce  the 
Indians  to  be  neutral.  Humanity  and  eiviliza- 
tfon  plead  In  favour  of  a  principle  which  would 
not  add  savage  barbarity  to  the  other  evilsof 
war ;  but  unfortunately,  the  policy  of  a  <*  mag- 
nanimous" enemy  was  different.  The  Ameri- 
eans  soon  learned  that  the  enemy  had  leagued 
himself  with  the  ruthless  savage  of  the  wilder- 
Bess;  the  known  warfare  of  the  tomahawk  and 
scalping  knife  was  to  act  in  concert  with  the 
modern  invention  of  rtckets  ;  in  short,  all  means 
within  the  power  of  the  enemy  were  to  be  com- 
bined against  the  people  of  the  United  States. 

The  flrst  act  in  which  the  allied  Indians  and 
British  si^na/i^ed  themselves,  was  in  the  taking 
•f  the  fort  of  Miehilimaekinac,  on  the  17th  of 
July,  1812.    The  garrison  consisting  of  57  cf- 


uistout  of  the  utar. 


20 


fectivc  men,  including  officers,  was  commandeil 
by  Lieutenant  Hanks,  of  the  artillery.  The 
first  notice  he  received  of  the  declaration  of  war, 
was  in  the  form  of  a  summons,  to  surrender  the 
fort  and  island  to  his  Britannic  majesty's  forces. 
The  enemy,  contemplating  a  state  of  war,  had 
been  for  some  time  preparing  an  expedition  for 
the  attack  of  Michilimackinac.  The  place  of 
rendezvous  -was  St.  Joseph's,  a  Bi-kish  garrison, 
distant  from  Michilimackinac,  about  45  mjles. 
So  prepared  were  the  British,  that  they  were 
enabled  to  Embark  the  next  day,  after  being  ap- 
prised of  the  declaration  of  war.  Lieutenant 
Hanks  having  received  information  on  the  16th> 
of  the  hostile  attitude  of  the  Indians,  sent  Cap- 
tain Daurman,  of  the  militia,  to  watch  the  mo- 
tion of  the  Indians ;  he  embarked  about  sun-set, 
and  met  the  British  forces  within  ten  or  fifteen 
miles  of  the  island,  by  whom  he  was  made,  pri- 
soner. Every  possible  preparation  was  made, by 
the  garrison  to  resist  an  attack,  if  su^h  should 
be  attempted ;  but  the  appearance  of  a  powerful 
enemy,  with  artillery,  scaling-ladders,  &c.  induc- 
ed Lieutenant  Hanks  to^submit  to  terms  of  capi- 
tulation, by  which  the  fort  was  surrendered  to 
the  British  forces,  commanded  by  Captain  Rob- 
erts. The  American  garrison  was  made  prison- 
ers, and  sent  to  the  United  States,  not  to  serve 
until  regularly  exchanged: 

The  British  force  consisted'  of  regular  troops, 
4&;  Canadian  militia,  260;  Indians,*  715.— To-- 
tal,  1021. 

Tho  probability  of  an  approaching  war 'had 
determined  the  United  States'  government  to  a- 
dopt  some  measures  \iecessarily  preparatory  to 
that  event. 

Oil  the  idth  March>  1812.  Major  James  B.Miil^ 

0^2-  . 


t'H 


iM 


A,  M 


\ :  '.^ 


'V. 


30 


BISTORT  07  THE   WAH. 


iany,  of  the  infantry,  was  directed  liy  the  secret 
tary  of  wKr,  Dr.  Eustis,  to  proceed  to  Philadcl< 
phia,  and  ascertain  the  state  of  forwardness  in 
which  the  clothing  for  the  new  troops  was.  This 
was  executed,  and  report  in&de  accordingly. 
On  or  about  the  12tb  April,  orders  were  received 
at  New- York,  to  commence  the  recruithig  ser- 
Tice.  By  tliis  time  the  U.  S.  was  divided  into 
military  distilets,  and  Major  Mullany  appointed 
to  the  command  of  the  western  district,  (New- 
York.)  With  his  noted  zeal  and  activity,  he 
arrived  at  Geneva,  on  the  20th  April,  18l!2,  and 
located  there,  with  necessary  instpuctions,  a  val- 
uable officer,  (Captain  Mydert  M.  Dox.)  In  a 
few  days,  the  officers  assigned  to  titis  district, 
were  supplied  with  funds  and  instructions,  and 
martiiat  music  gave  awful  earning  of  what  was^ 
likely  to  follow.  The  difficulties  that  ignorance 
and  treacherous  opposition  excited,  is  so  way  in- 
teresting at  present.  Manly  exertion,  good  judg- 
ment, and  a  righte&ns  cause,  surmounted  every 
scheme  of  faetioir,  and  seared  snccessfuily  over 
every  siieciies  of  prejudice.  Citizens  most  noted 
for  acrimonious  sarcasms  towards  the  measures 
net^^essarily  adopted  at  that  period,  soon  buried 
their  mistaken  apprehensions  in  the  nalional 
good,  and  Were  amongst- the  most  active  in  lading 
the  ♦  ffoMs  of  tlie  officers  of  the  army. 

On  the  .26th  of  May,  a  circular  order  wa» 
iransmitfed  to  the  following  officers,  having  for 
its  object  the  coneent ration. of  the  recruits  of  the 
western  district,  at  Canandaigua,  to  organizf^- 
them  for  the  field,  ^iz^ 

'  Captaiti  Dox.  Infeintry,  Geneva.  *      ^ 

Captain  M'Keon,  3d  Rep^t.  Artillery,  Canandaigua^: 
Ci<ptiiin  David  Scoit,  Infsnfry,  JBataviai 
•  "  Caj^tioA  R,  U»  Mpjrb,  Infantry,  Cayugai. 


BISTORT  07  THE  WAB. 


II 


1st  Lieutenant)  Wm.  Clarke,  Infantry,-  Auburn. 

Ist  Lieutenant,  John  M.  O'Connor,  3d  Re gt.  Ar- 
tillery, Buffalo. 

1st  Lieutenant,  Samuel  Chipman,  Infantry,  Bath. 

2d  Lieutenant,  W.  Martin,  Infantry,  Lima.  > 

2d  Lieutenant,  Henry  Whiting,  Infantry,  Buffalo* 
By  O/der, — J.  R.  MuUany,  Maj.  Comdg. 
Signed,r-J.  H.  Rees,  Lt.  3d  Artillery,  Adjt. 

The  official  news  of  the  declaration  of  war* 
reached  Major  MuUany,  on  the  27th  June,  18129^ 
one  day  later  than  the  express  with  it  to  the 
British,  passed  Canandaigua,  (the  head-quarters^ 
of  the  district.)  The  man  employed  on  this  oc» 
«asion,  hy  the  fbiends  of  England,  was  a  citizen 
of  Albany,  well  known  by  several  real  patriotic 
men,  residing  in  the  western  country,  on  whom 
he  imposed.  He  stated  that  he  was  eonveying»> 
express,  the  news  of  the  declaration  of  war,  to 
Fort  Xiagarat  in  consequence  of  which  strata- 
gem, he  sueoeeded  in  obtaining  every  facilityy 
that  money  and  horses  could  give  him;  and  thus 
did  the  British  receive  the  news  one  day  before 
it  was  known  at  Canandaigna,  from  whence  may 
be  dated  the  fall  of  Miehilimaekinae,  and'  a 
train  of  other  disasters  on  the  frontiers.  Having 
delivered  the  despalehes  at  Queenstown,  he  re- 
turned immediately.  He  met  General  Peter  B# 
Porter  at  Batavia,  who  q^uestioned  him  on  the  re- 
port then  general,  of  such  av  express  having^! 
passed,  but  he  very  adroitly  escaped,  and  vras  a- 
gain  interrogated  on  his  arrival  at  Ganandaigua» 
by  Major  Mullany,^  who  was  closely  watching  his? 
return.  He  soon  discovered  him,  and  placed  hiia. 
under  guard,  after  reading  to  htm  the  57th  ar- 
ticle of  the  articles  of  war.  His  deposition  wa9^ 
takan  before  a  master  in  chancery,  and  forward- 
ed to  Governor  Tompkins*  the  same  night,  wiioiQa 


$t 


BIETOBT  OF  THE  VfMM. 


It  readied  in  thirty  houra,  distance  208  inileii. 
Tlie  gentlemen  Vfho  employed  the  despatch  were 
taken  prisoners^  and  held  to  bail»  and  evidence 
given  the  governor,  that,  although  the  despatches 
did  communicate  the  vote  of  Congress,  declaring 
war.stil]  the  communication  was  simply  mercanttU, 

At  this  time  the  settlers  on  the  Niagara  fron- 
tier became  much  alarmed;  they  were  daily 
threatened  with  a  visit  from  the  Indians,  and 
their  houses  no  longer  offered  them  safety  or 
protection.  Several  settlements  had  been  aban- 
doned, and  nothing  was  heard  along  the  frontier, 
in  imagination  at  least,  but  the  hostile  yell  of  the 
relentless  savage. 

The  following  letter  f  not  hitherto  published,) 
was,  on  this  occasion,  directed  to  Major  Mul- 
lany:  '* 

Blac*  Rock,  June  28i  1812. 
v'^^  Sir, 

.«  There  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  British 
meditate  an  attack  on  fort  Niagara,  and  that  it  may 
be  attempted  within  twenty-four  hours  from  this 
time*  If  they  once  pass  the  river,  it  is  impossible  to 
*  say  how  far  they  may  {Proceed. — Under  these  very 
urgent  circumstances  I  dispatch  an  express,  to  re- 
quest that  you  will  immediately  march  the  men  un- 
der your  command  to  our  assistance.  Although  you 
may  not  have  received  orders  authorizing  you  to 
comply  with  this  request,  I  am  persuaded  the  occa- 
sion will  justify  you,  as  your  men  can  be  of  no  possi* 
ble  use  at  Canandaigua,  or  any  other  place  along  the 
south  shore  of  the  Lake,  and  are  undoubtedly  intend- 
ed, ultimately,  for  this  place.  Bring  with  you  all  the 
arms  and  ammunition  in  the  Canandaigu^i  arsenal. ' 

In  great  haste,  yours  respectfully, 
*  PETER  B.  PORTER,  Q.  M.  G. 

Of  the  State  <if  J^eW'York^ 
i  Major  Mullamt,        > 
C«mm*g  at  Canandais^ua'X:, 


"^-T' 


mSTOBT  OF  THV  WAS. 


33 


.  Major  Mullany*  in  conscquf  nee  of  the  receipt 
of  this  letter,  marrhed  with  his  oommand  for  the 
protection  of  tlie  Niagara  frontier. 

Another  evidentlj^  material  precaution^  was  the 
stationing  a  competent  force  in  the  Michigan  ter- 
ritoryy  for  the  protection  of  the  inhabitants* 
against  the  incursion  of  the  enemyy  as  well  as 
for  the  purpose  of  acting  offensively,  if  such 
should  be  deemed-  prudent.  General  Hull  had 
been  at  the  seat  of  government  in  the  spring 
previous  to -the  declaration  of  war,  where  he 
made  arrangements- for  conducting  a  force  to 
Detroit.  He  accordingly  proceeded  to  Dayton* 
on  the  Mad  river,  one  of  the  waters  of  the  great 
Miami,  60  miles  by  land,  and  about  75  miles  by 
water,  from  its  mouth.  Here  Governor  Meigs, 
of  the  state  of  Ohio,  surrendered  to  the  general 
the  command  of  1500  volunteers,  who  had  been 
raised  for  this  purpose,  and  were  commanded  by 
Colonels  M' Arthur*  Cass*  and  Findlay*  by  tho 
election  of  the  volunteers. 

On  the  2'rth  May,  General  Hull  pitched  his 
tent  in  camp  Meigs,  when,  the  troops  being  form- 
ed in  a  h'^Ilow  square,  the  flag  of  fhe  United 
States  was  unfurled,  on  which  occasion,  a  short* 
but  animated  and  impressive  address*  was  de- 
livered by  Colonel  Cass. 

On  the  1st  June,  the  4th  United  States'  regi- 
ment, commanded  by  Colonel  Miller,  joined 
General  flull,  when  he  resumed  his  march*  and 
reached  the  rapids  of  the  Miami  about  the  last 
of  June,  having  then  under  his  command  about 
£500  men. 

From  Dayton  to  Detroit,  a  distance  of  more 
than  150  miles, the  army  had  to  cut  a  road  through 
the  wilderness ;  the  land  was  soft  or  swampy* 
and  the  labour  of  bringing  on  carriages. and  ac' 


Sit 


BTITRBT  Of  tI»  WAK; 


tillei^f  exoetiive.  The  Indians  showed  little  dis- 
position to  obstraot  tlie  imssaffe  of  the  troops. 
Governor  Meigs  proceeded  witn  the  army  as  fur 
AS  tlie  Urbanna*  wliere  he  held  a  eouneil  with 
some  Indian  ohiefs*  when  it  was  agreed,  that 
peace  should  be  maintained  between  them  and  the 
United  States.  The  General  put  en  board  a  ves- 
•el»  the  baggage  and  hospital  stores  of  the  army, 
with  an  offloer  and  30  men**  with  directions  to 
Bail  for  Detroit.  The  British  having  been  Ap- 
prized of  the  declaration  of  war,  captured  the 
▼essel  at  Fort  Maiden*  mouth  of  Detroit  tivcvf 
and  thus  the  army  suffered  a  serious  loss. 

On  the  evening  of  the  i2th  July»  General  Hull 
crossed  the  river  Detroit*  which  divides  tho 
United  States'  territory  of  Michigan  from  the 
British  pt*ovince  of  Upper  Canada,  and  fixed  his 
bead  quarters  at  the  town  of  Sandwich,  about 
two  miles  within  the  British  province.  From 
tills  place  lie  published  a  proclamatijj,  of  which 
the  following  is  a  copy : 

V  BY  WILLIAM  HULL, 

Brigadier  •  General  and  Compiander  of  the  JVorth 
Western  army  of  the  United  States  : 

A  PROCLAMATION. 


« ♦ 


Inhabitants  of  Canada, 

After  thirty  years  of  peace  and  prosperity,  the 
United  States  have  been  driven  to  arms.  The  inju» 
ries  and  aggressions,  the  instilts  and  indignities  of 
Great-Britain,  have  once  more  left  them  no  alterna- 
tive but  manly  resistance,  or  unconditional  submis" 
sion.  .^he  army  under  my  command  has  invaded  your 
country ;  the  standard  of  the  union  now  \raves  over 
the  territory  of  Canada.  To  the  peaceable  unoffend-^ 
in;;  inhabitants,  it, brings  neither  danger  nor  difficulty. 
1  come  to  find  enemies.,  not  to  make  them.  I  come 
to  protect)  not  to  injure  you*^ 


HHTOttT  OV  THE  WAB« 


Si 


Separated  by  an  immense  ocean*  and  an  extftnaive 
vvildefneaa,  from  Greut  Britain)  you  have  no  partici- 
ptttion  in  her  councils,  no  interest  in  her  conduct. 
You  have  felt  her  tynmny ;  you  haVe  seen  her  in- 
justice ;  but  I  do  not  ask  you  to  avenge  the  one,  or 
to  redi-ess  the  other.     The  Unitod  States  are  suffici- 
ently powerful  to  afford  every  security,  consistent 
ivith  their  rig^hts,  and  your  expectations.     1  lendfur 
you  the  invaluable  blessing  of  civil,  political*  and  re- 
ligious liberty,  and  their  necessary  resulti  individual 
and  gf^^neral  prosperity;  that  liberty  which  gave  de- 
cision to  our  councils,  and  energy  to  cnir  conduct,  in 
a  struggle  for  independence,  wlitch  coitdu«ted  us 
safely  and  triumphantly  through  the  stormy  period  of 
the  revolution— -the  liberty  which  has  raised  us  to 
an  elevated  rank  among  the  nations  of  ihe  world  ; 
and  which  afforded  us  a  greater  measure  of  peace 
and  security,  of  wealth  and  improvement  than  ever 
fell  to  the  lot  of  any  people.     In  the  name  of  my 
country*  and  the  authority  of  government*  I  promise 
you  protection  to  your  persoHS*  property*  and  rights; 
remain  at  yoiyr  homea;  pumue  your  peacefai  and 
customary  avocations  ;  raise  not  your  hands  against 
your  brethren.     Many  of  your  fathers  fought  for 
the  freedom  and  independence  we  now  enjoy.     Be- 
ing children*  therefore,  of  the  same  family  with  usf, 
,^nd  heirs  of  the  same  heritage*  the  arrival  of  lyi  army 
of  friends  must  be  hailed  by  you  with  a  cordiaS  wel- 
come.   You  will  be  emancipated  from  tyranny  and 
oppression)  and  restored  to  the  dignified  station  of 
freedom.     Had  I  any  doubt  of  eventual  success,  I 
might  ask  your  asfii«tance  ;  but  1  do  not     I  come 
prepared  for  every  contingency— I  have  a  force  which 
will  break  down  all  opposition*  and  that  force  is  but 
the  van-guard  of  a  much  greater.     If,  contrary  to 
your  own  interests,  and  the  just  expectations  of  my 
country  <  you  should  take  part  in  the  approaching  con- 
test, you  will  be  considered  and  treated  as  enemies; 
and  the  horrors  and  calamities  of  war  will  stalk  be^ 
lore  you.    If  the  barbarous  and  savage  policy  (k 


M 


m 


♦■>• 


t.  >  ■  'p 


M 


-?-  \,SS., 


1 1 


l! 


' 


' 


36 


HISTOUY  OF  THE  WAE.  ^"' 


Great  Britain  be  pursued,  and  the  savagei  are  let 
Joo»e  to  murder  our  citiaens,  and  butcher  our  women 
and  children  thiti  wur  will  be  a  war  of  extermination. 
The  first  stroke  of  the  tomahawk-- the  first  attempt 
with  the  scalping-knife*  will  be  the  signal  of  one  in- 
discriminate scene  of  desolation.  Nt>  whKe  man, 
fou.id  fighting  by  the  side  of  an  Indian*  will  be  taken 
prisoner— instai it  death  will  be  fais  lot.  li  the  dic- 
tates of  reason,  duty  justice,  and  humanity  cannot 
prevent  the  employment  oi  a  force  which  respects 
no  rights,  and  knows  no  wrong,  it  will  be  prevented 
by  a  severe  and  relentless  system  of  retaliation.  I 
doubt  not  your  courage  and  firmness— I  will  not 
doubt  your  attachment  to  liberty.  If  you  tender 
your  services  voluntarily,  they  will  be  accepted  rea- 
dily. The  United  States  offer  you  peace*  liberty, 
aiid  security— Your  choice  lies  between  these  and 
war,  slavery  and  destruction.  Chootie  then  ;  but 
choose  wisely  ;  and  may  he  who  knows  the  justice 
of  our  cause,  and  who  holds  in  his  hand  the  fate  of 
nations,  guide  you  to  a  result  the  most  compatible 
with  your  rights  and  interests,  your  peace  and  hap- 
piness. 

By  the  General,  • 

^*  A.  P.  HULL, 

Cafitain  qfthe  13/A  United  Statea*  regiment  qflnfan* 
,  try^  and  Aid-de  Camp,  Head-guarUra,,  Sandwich, 
.    J^ly  13, 1813,   . 

WILLIAM  HULL. 

Tills  proolamatJoti  was  well  cahsulated  to  in- 
spire eonfideiic>,  and  secure  the  friendship  of  f  he 
Canadians.  The  ^merivan  troops  were  in  high 
spirits,  anxious  to  be  l^d  jgainst  the  enemy's 
post  at  Fort  Maiden, 
sisting  of  regulars,  mil 
ferior  to  the  Amerioai 
oiaI«oinmunicatioB  of  the' 


ritish  force,  con- 
Indians,  was  in- 
ared  by  the  ofli- 

^_.._h  general  Bi'ock, 

to  Ills  government.    The  moment  seemed  ia- 


HISTORY  OP  TnB  W41U 


U 


Yourable  to  strike  an  important*  perhaps  a  deol- 
iivu  blow.  Tiie  Indian)4«  except  a  few  of  whoin 
bad  Joined  the  British,  remained  neutral,  watoh- 
ing  with  their  usual  Aa;;aoi(y,  until  tbe^  could 
discover  on- what  side  victory  was  likely  to  |ieroh  | 
nearly  all  tlifl  Canadian  militia  had  desertedy 
Colonel  M* Arthur  was  detached  with  150  meuy 
to  the  river  'riiames,  whore  ho  captured  a  oon> 
HidtTable  quantity  of  ammunition,  arms,  and 
blankets.  Homo  hundreds  of  Merino  sheep  were 
oaptured  by  another  detaohmeat. 

On  the  15th  July,  Colonel  Cass,  with  about 
300  men,  reconnoitered  the  enemy's  posts.  The 
Colonel  ascended  the  river  Aux  Canards,  to  a 
foi'd,  where  he  crossed,  and  descending  on  the 
south  side,  attacked  and  repeatedly  drove  a  par- 
ty of  the  enemy's  regulars,  which  was  stationed 
at  a  bridge,  five  miles  above  Amherst  burg,  the 
enemy  having  fornied  and  returned  three  times: 
night  put  an  end  to' the  pursuit.  The  Americans 
returned  the  following  day  to  camp  without  in- 
terruption. Frequent  skirmishing  was  kept  up 
between  other  detaehments  of  tlio  American 
army,  and  tho  enemy,  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Fort  Maiden.  Tho  time  of  attacking  Fort 
Maiden  was  determined  on  at  a  council  of  field 
officers,  and  preparations  made  for  advancing  to 
the  attack,  when,  by  an  unexpected  order,  the 
plan  of  attack  was  abandoned,  and  Canada  eya* 
cuated  on  the  8th  August,  shamefully  leaving  to 
their  fate,  the  Canadians  who  had  joined  the 
American  standard. 

This  gave  time  to  the  enemy  to  be  reinforcr 
ed,  and  it  soon  was  rumoured  in  the  American 
camp,  that  the  commanding  officer  intended  to 
surrender  his  army,  in  the  eveat  of  an  attack  by 
the  enemy.     This   seemed  so   onaccounCsdilef 


'  I'-i 


it 


kfi 


Ir^i.,^, 


m 


i'. 


;( 


^8 


HISTORY  07  THE  WAR. 


at  a  time  when  superiority  of  force  was  on  the 
American  side,  tliat  the  ofiicers  had  rcHolved,  in 
tiie  event  of  the  rumour  bein);  well  founded,  to 
divest  the  general  of  his  eoiiimand.  'I'he  exe- 
oution  of  this  plan  was  prevented  by  (he  ab- 
sence of  two  commanding  officers  of  regiments, 
who  Mere  ordered  on  detHchments.  The  Brit- 
ish being  reinforced  by  about  400  nien*  and  the 
Indians  becoming  more  decidedf  General  Brock 
advanced,  and  took  a  position  opposite  to  Detroit, 
where,  witliout  interruption,  ho  established  a 
small  battery. 

On  the  15th  August,  the  town  of  Detroit  was 
summoned  to  surrender,  which  being  refused,  a 
firing  began  from  the  British  batteries,  which 
was  retarned  by  the  Anierloans,  and  continued, 
with  little  efiTect,  until  night.  At  dii^-light,  on 
the  16th,  the  firing  re-eommenced  on  both  sides, 
the  enemy  commeRced  the  landing  of  troops  be- 
low Detroit,  whieli  being  soon  effected,  they 
inarched  in  close  column  of  platoons,  twelve  in 
front,  toward  the  fort  of  Detroit. 

Against  this  body  of  troops  not  a  shot  was  fir- 
ed, although  it  advanced  in  a  sifuatinn  within 
the  range  of  the  \mevh  an  cannon.  When  the 
British  reached  within  100  yarih  of  the  Ameri- 
can line,  orders  were  given  by  Gen.  Hull  for  the 
troops  to  retreat  to  the  fort ;  and  soon  after,  the 
fort  was  surrendered,  and  the  American  army 
became  prisoners  of  war. 

By  a  proclamation  immediately  issued  by  the 
British  commander,  (Gen.  Brot  k.)  it  appears 
th^t  General  Hull  had  also  surrendered  the  ter- 
ritory of  Michigan.  ^■ 
'  This  was  a  severe  and  unexpected  W.ovf  against 
the  Americans.  It  gave  rise  (o  a  court  martial 
on  the  conduct  of  General  Hull,  which  will  be 


■TAji.    a 


BISTOKT  OF  THE   WAR. 


sd 


notiocd  in  its  proper  place ;  it,  in  a  great  degree, 
destroyed  the  eo:iii(ten<^e  the  Caniidians  had  in 
thi'  government  and  arms  of  the  United  States  ; 
it  determined  the  Indians  to  take  part  with  tlie 
enemy ;  and  led  not  only  to  a  prolongation  of  the 
-war,  hut  to  many,  or  perhaps  all  dP  those  savage 
aets  of  murder*  in  whiih  the  Indians  were  sub* 
sequently  engaged,  against  the  citizens  of  the 
Uiiltfd  States. ' 

(jrencral  Hull,  in  his  ofBcial  account,  states, 
that  at  the  time  the  enemy  advanced  against  De- 
troit, he  could  not  hring  into  the  field  more  than 
600  men,  that  the  regular  force  of  the  enemy, 
then  advancing,  was  much  more  than  that  num- 
ber, and  twice  that  pumbcr  of  Indians. 

An  official  letter  from  Colonel  Cass,  who  had 
a  command  under  Genv'ral  Hull,  put  the  business 
in  quite  a  different  light,  concluding  with  the  fol- 
lowing paragraph. 

«  1  was  informed  by  Gen  Hulh  the  morninj*  after 
the  capitulation,  that  the  British  forces  consisted  of 
1800  reguhirs,  and  that  he  suitendered  to  prevent  ' 

the  efTusion    of  human  blood That  he  magnified 

their  regular  force  nearly  five  fold,  there  can  be  no 
doubt.  Whether  the  philanthropic  reason  assigned 
by  him  is  a  sufficient  justification  for  surrendering  a 
fortified  town,  an  army,  and  a  territory  is  for  the  go- 
vernment to  determine.  Confident  I  am,  that  had  the 
courage  and  conduct  of  the  General  been  equal  to 
the  spirit  and  zeal  of  the  troops,  the  event  would 
have  been  as  brilliant  and  successful,  as  it  now  is  dis- 
astrous and  dishonourable." 

The  Drltish  official  account  is  positive  as  to 
the?ihferiority  of  the  enemy's  force. 

The  following  extract  from  the  official  report 
of  Sir  George  Prevost,  will  show  how  weak  the 
garrison  of  Amherstburg,  or  Maiden  was,  at 


iii 


!  ' 


W 


HISTOKT  OF  THE   II' All, 


-|b«  time  ^ben  General  Hull  passf  d  into  Cana(1&> 


having 
men. 


then  under  his.  command  nearly  2506 


<*  The  garrison  of  Amherstburg  consisted  (at  the 
lime  >viien  Gcnei'al  Hi^l  passed  into  Canada,)  of  a 
subaltern's  detachment  of  the  royal  artillery,  com- 
-nianded  by  Lieutenant  Troughton  ;  of  a  detachment 
of  SOO  men,  of  the  41st  regiment,  under  the  ccm^ 
xnand  of  Captain  Muir  ;  and  of  about  as  many  of  the. 
snilitia  ;  the  whole  under  the  command  of  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel St.  George,  inspecting  field  officer  o*f 
militia  in  the  district." 

A  few  days  before  the  surrender  of  Detroit* 
Major  Tan  Horn,  of  Colonel  Findle/s  regiment 
of  Ohio  volunte(^r8>  was  detached  with  about 
2d0  men,  to  proceed  to  (he  river  Kaisiny  to  rein- 
force Captain  Brush,  who,  with  a  company  of 
Ohio  volunteers,  were  escorting  provisions  for 
the  army.  At  Brownstown,  a  large  party  of 
Indians  formed  an  ambuscade,  and  the  major's 
detachment  received  a  lieavy  fire  at  a  few  yards 
iVom  the  enemy.  The  whole  detachment  re- 
treated in  great  disorder,  and  could  not,  by 
any  exertion  of  Major  Van  Horn,  be  rallied.— 
On  this  occasion,  there  were  7  ofRcers  and  10 
privates  killed,  besides  a  considerable  number 
wounded. 

Before  the  return  of  Major  Van  Horn,  an- 
other detachment  consisting  of  600  men^  under 
the  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Miller,  was  ordered 
to  proceed  to  the  river  Raisin,  to  open  the  com- 
munication to  the  river,  and  protect  the  provi- 
sions, which  were  under  the  escort  of  Captain 
Brush.  Lieut.  Col.  Miller  marched  f^om*  De- 
troit on  the  8th  August ;  and  on  the  9th,  about 
4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  van  guard,  ^om- 
manded  by  Capt.  Snelling,  of  the  4bth  U.  S.  regi- 


':'Mf.  .  .- ,  ■  -    --K  ,  ■ 


HISTORY   OB  TUB   WAR. 


41 


went,  was  fired  upon  by  an  extensive  line  of  In- 
dians and  British,  at  the  lower  part  of  Maguago» 
about  li>  miles  from  Detroit.  Capt.  bnelling 
maintained  his  ground  in  a  most  gallant  man- 
ner, under  a  very  heavy  fire,  until  the  arrival 
of  ttie  main  body,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Mnier,  when 
a  general  attack  was  made  on  the  enemy,  who 
was  compelled  to  retreat  before  the  Americans. 
The  route  continued  until  fatigue,  and  the  ap- 
proach of  night,  rendered  it  necessary  ta  desist 
ii'oni  further  pursuit,   r-  -  -^  .  v  . 

A  short  time  previous  to  the  surrender  of  De- 
troit, a  provisional  agreement  was  entered  into 
by  General  Dearborn,  and  Colonel  Baynes,  the 
British  adjutant-general,  that  neither  party 
should  act  ufi'ensively  before  the  dieision  of  the 
American  government  should  be  taken  on  the 
subject.  I'his  sus])ension  of  hostilities*  wa» 
grounded  on  a  letter  from  Sir  Beorge  Pi-evost, 
Governor  of  Lower  Canada,  to  General  Dear- 
jborn,  suggesting  the  probability  0f  a  general 
suspension  of  hostilities,  in  consequence  of  a  pro- 
I  posed  suspension  or  repeal  of  the  British  orders 
in  council,  of  which  Mr.  F^oster,  late  minister 
to  the  United  States,  had  received  advices  on  his 
arrival  at  flalifax.  Whether  Governor  Prevost 
seriously  believed  all  which  he  represented,  or 
that  the  suspension  of  hostilities,  which  did'not 
include  the  operations  of  Detroit,  was  intended 
to  favour  the  British  army  in  that  quarter,  can- 
not now  be  determined  ;  it,  however,  enabled 
the  British  to  reinforce  General  Brock,  and  pro- 
bably contributed  to  the  fall  of  Detroit.  The 
American  government,  viewing  the  British  pro- 
position as  coming  in  an  indirect  manner,  ofier- 
[ing  no  satisfactory  security  for  its  observance^ 
[and  adhering  with. little  variation  to  their  for-, 


42 


HISTOEY  OT  TUS   WAB. 


I   li 


.,/ 


,^' 


iner  pretences^  did  not  hesitate  to  disagree  t» 
the  proposal.  The  armistiee  terminated  on  the 
8th  September. 

r  Tlie  disgraceful  surrender  of  Detroit  was,  in 
some  degree,  to  be  compensated  for,  hy  the 
bravery  of  American  seamen.  On  the  19tU 
Aug.  1812,  the  American  frigate  Constitution, 
Captain  Isaae  Hull,  fell  in  with  his  Britannic 
majesty's  frigate  Guerriere,  Captain  J.  B.  Da- 
ores,  in  lat.  4)0,  20,  N.  Ion.  bd,  W.  and  after  a 
severe  action  of  30  minutes,  during  which  the 
Americans  displayed  great  superiority  in  tactics 
and  courage,  the  British  ship  surrendered. 

The  Guerriere  sufiered  so  much  in  her  rin- 
ging and  hull,  and  was  so  entirely  disabled,  that 
it  was  found  impossible  to  tow  her  into  port ;  she 
was  of  course  burnt,  by  order  of  Captain  Hull, 
as  soon  as  the  prisoners  were  Femov«d. 
'  The  Guerriere  had  been  formerly  a  French 
44,  but  was  rated  only  at  38 ;  she  carried  4i9 
guns.  ^    ^ 

The  following  official  account  of  her  capture 
from  the  French,  by  the  British  naval  captain) 
Lavic,  places  this  point  in  an  indisputable  view, 
a»  the  advocates  of  Britain,  sorely  hurt  by  this 
proof  of  the  superiority  of  American  naval  tac- 
ties,  endeavoured  to  misrepresent  the  relative 
size  and  force  of  the  Ameriean  and  British  fri- 
gates. ^       ^ 

From  Capt.  Lavib  to  Lord  Keitr. 

Blanche,  Yarmouth,  July  26,  1806. 
^<  My  Lord-^ — I  have  the  honour  to  acquaint  you  of  { 
my  return  to  Yarmouth  to-day,  having  in  company 
the  Guerriere  frigate,  commanded  by  Monsieur  Hu* 
bert,  of  the  Legion  of  Honour,  whom  I  captured  on  I 
the  19th  inst.  in  long  63,  off  the  Faro  IsLandS)  aftepj 
a  aliarp  contest  of  45  roinmesi."    . 


!• 


*.^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE   WAK. 


i9 


»  Le  Guerriere  is  of  the  largest  class  of  frigates^ 
mounting  fifty  gunS)  with  a  complement  of  317  meiir 
but  they  were  very  soon  sadly  reduced  by  our  de- 
structive fire,  and  the  ship  has  also  suffered  very  se- 
verely, while  the  damages  of  the  Blanche  were  con-^ 
fined  to  the  topmastSy  rigging,  and  sails.  • ;  ^ 

"THOMAS  LWIE.'^ 

The  followiog  is  a  return  of  tbe  killed  and 
wounded.  :-        / 

On  board  the  Constitution,  one  lieutenant  of  ma- 
rines, and  six  seamen-~Total  killed,  7.  Two  officers, 
four  seamen,  and  one  marine— Total  wounded,  7. 
Total  killed  and  wounded,  14. 

On  board  the  Guerriere,  killed  15)  wounded  63,- 
missing  27— Total^  105. 

Tlie  most  enthusiastie  joy  was  manifested 
throughout  every  part  of  the  United  States,  on 
the  arrival  of  advices  of  this  engagement.  Cap* 
tain  Hull  and  his  men  reeeivecK  wherever  they 
appeared,  the  most  unbounded  applauses.  Thanks 
were  voted  by  Congress,  and  by  several  publio 
bodies;  and  Congress  appropriated  50,000  dol- 
lars, to  be  given  to  tbe  officers  and  erew  of  the 
Constitution,  as  an  indemnifieation  for  tbe  loss 
sustained  by  tbe  destruction  of  tbe  Guerriere. 

Her  navy  was  tbe  chief  boast  of  England,  and 
on  it  was  her  ehief  reliance;  yet  she  was  des- 
tined to.  meet  her  greatest  wounds  and  disasters 
on  the  watery  element. 

On  tbe  17th  July,  the  British  appeared  before 
Sacket^^  Harbour,  with  the  Royal  George,  of  2^ 
guns,  the  Prince  Regent,  of  22,  Elmira,  of  20^ 
Seneca,  of  18,  and  another  armed  vessel,  A 
message  was  sent  ashore,  demanding  the  sur^ 
render  of  the  American  vessel  of  war,  the  One« 
idaj  and  also,  the  Itite  British  schoooer>  NelsoD» 


i     .1 

i 


46 


HISTORY  OT  THE  VAR« 


\l 


seized  for  si  breach  ot  the  revenue  laws.  A 
Goiiipliance  with  this  demand  being  perempto- 
rily refused)  the  enemy  advanced  within  gun 
shot.  A  firing  began  from  a  S2  pounder  ashore, 
and  was  returned  by  the  squadron,  which  stood 
off  and  on.  A  brisk  cannonadling  was  continued 
for  more  than  two  hours,  when  a  shot  from  the 
32  pounder  having  raked  the  flag  ship  of  the 
enemy,  as  she  was  wearing  to  give  another 
broadside,  the  squadron  firt^d  a  few  guns,  and 
bore  away  for  Kingston,  the  citizens  greeting 
them  with  the  good  old  tune  of  **  Yankee  Doo- 
dle," from  all  the  music  at  the  post.  The  Bri- 
tish shipping  api>eared  to  be  much  injured,  ^iot . 
a  man  lost  on  the  American  side. 

The  steadiness  of  the  American  troops,  and 
the  alacrity  with  which  the  neighbouring  detach- 
ments and  volunteers,  to  the  amount  of  nearly 
SOOO,  assembled  for  the  protection  of  this  im- 
portant post,  was,  at  this  early  stage  of  the  war, 
a  pleasing  presage  of  wbat  might  be  hereafter 
expected,  when  men  would  bf  eome  more  inured 
to  danger.  Col.  Bellinger  comma  :ded  the  A- 
merican  troops.  Capt.  Woolsey,  who  command- 
ed, the  Oneida,  having  sailed  from  the  'rarbour, 
and  reconnoitcred  the  enemy,  returned  and 
moored  his  vessel,  with  a  spring  on  her  cable, 
near  the  battery;  and  giving  the  command  of 
her  to  his  lieutenant,  he  went  ashore  and  took 
command  of  the  32  pounder,  which,  under  his 
direotiony  did  very  considerable  damage  to  the 
enemy. 

The  Frigate  Essex,  Captain  Porter,  sailed  on 
»  cruise,  from  New  York,  on  the  3d  July,  and 
mrrived  in  the  Delaware,  the  7th  Sept*-ntbcr» 
On  the  13th  August,  the  Essex  fell  in  with  the 
firilish  sloop  of  WAV  Alert.    Xbe  Alert  bore 


M' 


■'' 


f 


niSTORT  OT  THS  yfJLR. 


^6 


down,  and  commenced  an  action,  which  lasted 
eight  minutes ;  she  was  much  cut  to  pieeeSf  had 
seven  feet  water  in  her  hold  when  she  struck* 
and  three  men  wounded.  The  Essex  received 
no  injury.  •  .  /. 

Captain  Porter  having  thrown  the  guns  of  the 
Alert  overboard,  despatched  her  as  a  cartel  t« 
St.  John's,  m  Newfoundland,  with  about  600 
prisoners  whieh  he  had  taken  in  the  Alert,  and 
from  other  captured  vessels. 

This  measure  was  adbpted  in  consequence  of  a 
written  agreement  between  Captain  Pointer  of 
the  £ssex,  and  Captain  Laugharne  of  the  Alert* 
It  was  calculated  to  convenience  both  parties^ 
and  to  lessen  the  evils  of  warfare.  A  proposi- 
tion originating  in  the  humanity  of  the  American 
commander  ought  to  have  been  met  by  the  most 
nrompt  aird  faithful  acquiescence  by  the  prisouf 
rs,  and  the  British  commanders.  Lieutenant 
i*.  ^Vilmer  was  sent  in  command  of  the  Alert* 
whieh  was  to  be  sailed  by  her  own  erew,  so  great 
was  the  confidence  placed  in  their  honour ;  yet  it 
appears  that  the  crew  took  the  command  of  the 
vessel  from  Lieutenant  Wilmer,  and  went  on 
shore  without  submitting  in  any  manner  to  his 
controul.  Admiral  Sir  T.  Duckworth,  who 
commanded  at  St.  John's,  countenanced  this  con- 
duct in  tlie  first  instance,  but  afterwards  submit- 
ted to  the  arrangement,  which,  he  nevertbeless* 
contended,  was  «  utterly  inconsistent  with  the 
laws  of  war." 

Governor  Prevost,  of  Lower  Canada,  issued 
a  proclamation  on  the  19th  September,  by  which 
all  citizens  of  the  United  Slates  are  ordered  to 
quit  Canada  by  the  15th  of  October;  till  whieh 
time,  they  may  depart  with  their  moveable  prde 
perty,  by  permission  of  three  of  the  eounciL 


40 


HISTOHY  or  THE  W4S» 


After  that  time,  every  citizen  of  the  United 
States*  found  in  Canada.  Mrill  be  treated  aH  a  pri- 
soner of  war,  unless  he  has  taken  the  oath  of  al- 
legiance. ■.■,:-.      •:  :r     .:'^^  /    \       '\  '      *'\ 

A  considerable  force  having  been  assembled  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Niagiiia  river,  under  the 
command  of  M  ij  Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer, 
with  the  view,  as  was  generally  understood,  of 
efftv-ting  a  descent  upon  the  British  province  of 
Upper  Canada;  a  strong  and  impatient  desire 
Vf-AS  discovered  ainong  the  troops  to  try  their 
strength  against  the  enemy.  This  gradually  rose 
to  such  a  height,  that  resistance  to  it  seemed 
scarcely,  if  at  all  possible ;  patriotism  was  pass- 
ing the  limits  of  subordination.  **  This  (says 
the  general  in  his  offieiHl  communication  to  Gen. 
Dearborn)  was  expressed  to  me  through  various 
channels,  in  the  shape  of  an  allemaiive  ;  that 
they  must  have  orders  to  apt;  or,  at  all  hazards, 
they  would  go  home,** 

Impelled  by  this  consideration,  the  general 
made  dispositions  for  the  intended  attack  on  the 
British  post  at  the  heights  of  Queenstown.  Some 
information  gained  from  a  person  who  was  en- 
gaged  to  pass  over  to  Canada,  and  who  returned 
safe,  seemed  to  warrant  an  attack,  which,  be- 
sides the  immediate  object  i^ight  h^ve  a  con- 
trolling effect  upon  the  nriovements  at  Detroit, 
where  it  was-  understood  the  British  General 
BrocK  had  gone,  with  all  the  force  he  could  spare 
from  the  Niagara  frontier. 
^  An  intention  to  transport  troops  across  the 
river,  on  the  morning  of  the  11th  October,  was 
frustrated  through  means  of  a  boatman,  selected 
for  his  skill  and  steadiness  ;  but  who,  going  a- 
head  in  the  extreme  darkness,  passed  the  intend- 
jed  place  far  up  the  river,  and  there  fastened  his 


% 


HISTORY  OF  TUB   VAB. 


vr 


boat  to  the  shore,  and  abandoned  the  detachment* 
In  this  front  boat  nearly  every  oar  belong..  ^  to 
all  the  b(»ats  vieve  deposited.  The  expedition 
was  given  up,  and  the  detachment  returned  to 
camp. 

This  circumstance,  so  far  from  damping  the 
ardour  of  the  troops,  seemed  to  give  additional 
force  to  the  desire  of  encountering  the  enemy .— 
A  second  attempt  was  determined  on. 

A  detachment  from  the  13th  regiment  con- 
sisting of  about  300  men  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Chrystie^  and  about  .SOO  militia,  command- 
e<l  by  Col.  Van  Rensselaer,  received  orders  from 
the  general  to  cross  the  Niagara  Kivcr  on  the 
morning  of  the  13th  inst.  which  was  in  part  ef- 
fected before  day,  under  a  very  heavy  and  de- 
structive fire  of  grape  and  musket  shot  from  the 
British. 

In  crossing  the  river,  three  boats  with  troopg 
one  of  which  contained  Lieut.  Col  Chrvstie, 
were  carried  by  the  rapid  current  of  the  river 
far  below  the  point  of  landing;  and  as  soon  as 
Col.  Cbrystie's  boat  touched  the  shore  the  onlj 
guide  to  the  ground  left  the  colonel. 

In  consequence  of  this  disaster  not  more  than 
200.  men,  at  first  effected  a  luniling.  Those  few* 
however,  marched  on  under  a  heavy  fire,  and 
foimed  a  line  on  the  front  of  the  battery,  where 
they  were  sheltered  by  a  Imnk,  upon  the  summit 
of  which  there  was  a  battery,  which  had  proved 
ver^  destructive  <to  officers  and  men.  From  the 
fire  of  this  battery,  and  tbat  of  a  house  on  their 
right  bank.  Col.  Van  Ren^tselaer  was  wounded> 
and  likewise  Capt.  Armstrong,  Capt.  Lawrence, 
Capt  Wool,  and  Lieut,  l^ent;  killed,  Lieut.  Val-f 
Icau  and  Knsig't  Moriis,  ail  of  ihe  13tb.       I'^iJ 

(jol.  Yan  Reusselaer's  wounds  were  severe,  a 


ij  iK 


'  '    <^t 


r- 


I'll 


•IS 


BirrOBT^  0¥  THE  WAS. 


ball  paiiwd'ilirough  hisrighttbighy  entering  just 
below  the  hip  bene ;  another  shot  passed  through 
the  sumo  thigh  a  little  below  ;  a  third  through 
ihe  oalf  of  bis  leg,  and  a  fourth  oartoused  his 
beel.  Lieut.  Col.  Christie  did  not  arrive  until 
some  time  after  this,  and  was  wounded  in  his 
band,  in  passing  the  river.  Col.  Van  Rensselaer 
iivas  still  able  to  stand ;  and,  with  great  presence 
of  niindy  ordered  bis  men  to  proceed  and  storm 
the  fort. 

Sixty  determiined  men,  led  by  Capt.  Ogilvie, 
seconded  by  Capt.  Wt>ol,  (though  wounded)  and 
liieut.  Kearney,  Lieut.  Carr,  Lieut.  Hugginan, 
and  Lieut.  Sammons,  Ensign  Reeve,  of  the  I3ih, 
Lieut.  Randolph^  and  Lieut.  Gansevoort,  cireu- 
kously  moqnted  the  heights,  gave  three  cheers, 
and  immediately  charged ;  and,  after  the  third 
charge,  gained  complete  possession,  which  they 
kept  about  ten  hours.  Among  those  sixty  were 
ten  of  the  militia.  During  the  time  they  had 
possession  of  the  heights,  they  received  some  re- 
inforcement. Lieut.  Col.  Chrystie  effected  his 
landing,  and  a  body  of  militia,  amounting,  in  the 
ivhole,  to  about  500.  Col*  Scott  superseded  Capt. 
Ogilvie  in  the  command ;  soon  after  which  the 
British  received  a  reinforcement  from  Forts 
George  and  Chippawa,  amounting  to  about  1100, 
including  Indians.  The  Indians  were  soon  re- 
pulsed and  driven  to  the  wood. 

Capt.  Ogijvie,  <of  the  13tb  regiment,  who  led 
the  detachment  that  succeeded  in  taking  the  re- 
doubt upon  the  heights,  w^s  much  exposed  while 
at  the  top  of  the  preeipice;  he  resolutely  continu- 
ed brandishing  his  sword  as  a  signal  to  his  men 
to  advance.  The  exertions  of  Capt  'Wool,  in 
urging  on  his  men,  after  be  was  wounded^  were 
spiriteid  and  conspicuous. 


HI8T0BY   OV  THE   WAV* 


After  this,  both  parties  were  considerably  ro« 
inforcedy  and  tho  conflict  became  severe  and 
general ;  the  enemy  was  compelled  to  retreat  at 
every  point  of  attack,  and  the  roulc  was  follow* 
ed  up,  with  great  spirit  by  the  Americans. 

Reinforcements  continued  to  arrive  under  Capt.* 
Gibson,  of  the  artillery,  Captains  Mackesney  and 
Lawrence,  of  the  infantry ;  and  Colonels  Mead^ 
Allen,  and  Stranahan,  of  the  militia.  A  little 
before  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  Gen.  Wads- 
worth,  Lieut.  Col.  Chrystie,  and  Maj.  Mullany* 
passed  over.  The  enemy,  at  this  "moment,  rc- 
i'eived  a  reinforcement  of  several  hundred  Indi- 
ans from  Chippawa,  and  commenced  a  furious  at» 
••.••••t. •.•*•.••*..•..•..••.... •*.....•  ...•..•».•.•....•*..........**«• 

*  This  statement  i'\  given  from  the  best  account 
that  could  be  procured.  The  compiler  has  Cols 
Mullany's  authority  in  saying,  that  this  was  the  fifth 
time  he  passed  over  during  the  engagement.  From 
an  official  report  of  Col.  MuUany  to  Gen.  Van  Rens- 
selear,  dated  5th  Jan.  1813,  (the  original  of  which 
is  in  the  office  of  the  War  Department^  but  which 
has  not  been  published)  the  i'oUowing  extract  is 
given : 

«  I  canoot  in  justice  clote  this  communication! 
without  expressing  my  astonishment  at  the  omission 
j  of  its  (Col.  Mullany's  detachment)  arduous^  its  des- 
perate duties  in  your  official  detail  of  that  day,  al- 
though indifferent  as  to  myself,  satisfied  I  will  yet 
have  justice  done,  when  the  scenes  of  that  enterprize 
are  better  known.  Many  of  my  officers  merited  a 
full  share  of  public  notice  ;  and,  from  my  know- 
ledge of  you,  Sir,  to  a  want  of  correct  information,  I 
I  ascribe  the  cause  of  complaint." 

Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  in  reply  to  Col.  Mullany» 
■dated  Albany,  Jan.  23,  1813,  acknowledges  and  re- 
jgrets  the  omission  in  his  official  detail,  in  which  the 
[services  of  the  Col.  and  his  command  were  omitted. 


11 


10 


HIITOBY  OF  THE  WAIl. 


t  1; 


;    1 


•\ 


lack,  but  wcro  promptlj^  met,  and  reuted  by  the 
rillo  and  bayonet.    Victory  seemed  complete. 

'I'he  General  observing  a  hesitation  in  the  em- 
barkation of  troops,  he  passed  over  to  accelleratc 
their  movements.  Could  the  details  of  this  day 
be  hero  closed,  all  would  bo  honour*  all  would 
lie  glory  to  the  American  character.  But  it  must 
ho  recorded ;  alas !  it  cannot  be  concealed,  that 
no  persuasion  of  the  general,  or  of  Lieut.  Col, 
Bloom,  who,  although  wounded,  rode  throueh  the 
,  camp,  nor  of  judge  Peck,  who  also  exerted  him- 
self  on  this  occasion,  could  influence  the  remain- 
ing troops  to  pass  into  the  boats.  A  large  rein- 
forcement from  Port  George,  soon  afterwards 
was  seen  coming  up  the  river;  this  reinforce- 
ment obliqued  to  the  right  fi  om  the  road,  and 
ibrmed  a  junction  with  the  Indians  in  the  rear 
of  the  heights. 

The  superiority  ir  numbers  of  the  British  and 
their  Indian  allies  induced  the  American  officers 
to  hold  a  consultation,  at  which  they  Vere  dis- 
posed to  dispute  the  ground  they  held ;  bfit  a 
note  was  received  from  Gen.  Tan  Bensselaer,  in- 
forming them  he  could  afford  them  no  assist ancCf 
and  that  he  would  cover  their  refreat  at  the  bat- 
,tery  at  Fort  Grey,  and  furnish  boats  to  re-cross 
the  river;  and  finding  by  Col.  Stranahan  that 
the  militia  would  no  longer  act,  a  retreat  was  re- 
solved upon.  They  retreated  in  good  order,  with- 
out the  loss  of  a  man,  to  the  margin  of  tho  river 
but,  to  th^ir  extreme  mortification,  not  a  boat 
was  their  to  receive  them,  nor  did  any  arrive. 
After  remaining  in  this  extremely  painful  situa- 
tion about  a-quarter  of  an  hour,  this  little  band 
surrendered  to  about  five  times  their  number. 

Previous  to  this,  however,  a  column  of  British 
regulars  advauced,  commanded  by  Gen.  B^ock. 


>■ 


i 


HISTORY  OF  THE   WAB. 


51 


The  Rriti»li  Generars  liorso  was  killed  hy  a  pri- 
vate of  the  name  of*  Wilkluw,  who  wus  enlisted 
1,1  Orange  county  ;  t»hor(iy  after  which  th**  gen- 
eral hiiuseineily  within  pistol  shot  ot*  the  Amc* 
rican  troops. 

The  enem)'  consisted  of  a  part  of  the  49th  re- 
giment, who  with  Gen.  Rrock,  had  signalized 
theinsislves  in  Kgyut»  and  from  their  valour  were 
called  i\ie  invineibles.  Before  this  they  had  ne- 
ver been  known  to  give  an  inch  of  ground,  and 
acknowledged;  after  the  surrender,  they  had  ne- 
ver fought  with  such  brave  men.  They  treated 
their  prisoners  with  tenderness  and  respect,  and 
allowed  them  as  much  merit  as  brave  men  could 
desire.  The  number  of  American  troops  killed 
amounted  to  not  more  than  60,  and  about  100 
were  wounded.  The  number  of  prisoners,  inclu- 
ding the  wounded,  amounted  to  about  700. 

But  the  victorious  enemy,  though  generous 
and  tender  to  those  who,  by  the  fortune  of  war* 
bad  fallen  into  their  power,  imposed  no  restraint 
upon  their  Indian  allies  from  stripping  and  scalp- 
ing the  dying  and  the  slain  that  remained  upon 
the  field  of  battle.  Capt.  Ogilvio  himself  saw 
the  lifeless  body  of  Ensign  Morris  stripped  cveu 
of  its  shirt,  and  the  skull  uf  one  who  had  been 
wounded,  was  seen  cloven  by  a  tomahawk. 

The  general,  in  his  official  despatches,  bears 
evidence  to  the  bravery  and  good  conduct  of  alt 
engaged ;  noticing*  in  particular,  Gen.  Wads- 
worth  ;  Cols.  Van  Rensselaer  and  Scott ;  Lieut. 
Cols.  Chrystie,  Fen  wick,  Bloom,  Allen,  Stran- 
ahan,  and  Mead  ;  Majors  Spencer,  Moseley,  and 
Lush  ;  C>aptain  Gibson,  Lieut.  Smith,  and  En- 
sign Grosvener, 

Major  General  Van  Rensselaer  resigned  the 
command  of  the  army,  on  the  Niagara  frontier^ 


^l 


■  It 


m 


52 


HISTORY  07  TUB  %VAI(. 


to  Brigadier  General  Smyih^  on  the  |4th  Oc- 
tober. 

On  the  10th  November,  General  Smyth  pub- 
lished a  proclauiation  from  his  camp  near  Buf- 
I'aloe.  As  this  doeument  beeame  the  subject  of' 
much  comineut,  it  is  given  here  in  fall.  It  >vas 
in  the  following  words  : 

TO   THE    MEN   09   MEW-YORK. 

For  many  years  you  have  seen  your  country  op^ 
pressed  with  numerous  wrongSt  Your  government, 
although  above  all  others^  devoted  to  peace,  have 
been  forced  to  draw  the  sword,  and  rely  for  redress 
of  injuries  on  the  valour  of  the  American  people. 

That  valour  has  been  conspicuous.  But  the  na- 
tion has  been  unfortunate  in  the  selection  of  some 
of  those  who  directed  it.  One  army  has  been  dis- 
gracefully surrendered  and  lost.  Another  has  been 
sacrificed  by  a  precipitate  attempt  to  pass  it  over  at 
the  strongest  point  of  the  enemy's  lines,  with  most 
incompetent  means.  The  cause  of  these  miscar- 
riages is  apparent.  The  commanders  were  popular 
men,  «  destitute  alike  of  theory  and  experience"  in 
the  art  of  war. 

In  a  few  days,  the  troops  under  my  command,  will 
plant  the  American  standard  in  Canada.  They  are 
men  accustomed  to  obedience,  silence,  and  steadi- 
ness.    They  will  conquer,  or  they  will  die. 

Will  you  stand  with  your  arms  folded,  and  look 
on  this  interesting  struggle  ?  are  you  not  related 
to  the  men  who  fought  at  Benningtou  and  Saratoga  ? 
Has  the  race  degenerated  ?  Or  have  you,  under  the 
baneful  influence  of  contending  factions,  forgot  your 
country  ?  Must  I  turn  from  you,  and  ask  men  of 
the  six  nations  to  support  the  government  of  the 
United  States  ?  Shall  I  imitate  the  officers  of  the 
British  king,  and  suffer  our  ungathered  laurels  to 
be  tarnished  by  ruthless  deeds  i  Shame,  where  is 
tliy  blush  ?  No.  Where  I  commend,  the  vanquish- 
ed and  the  peaceful  man*  the  child,  the  maid,  and 


HISTOBT  OT  TIIE   WAB. 


ii 


the  matron,  shall  be  secure  from  wrong.     If  we  con- 
quer, we  will  "  conquer  but  to  sare." 
Men  of  M'evf'  York  ! 

The  present  is  the  hour  of  renown.  Have  you  not 
a  wish  lor  fame  ?  Would  you  not  choose  in  future 
times  to  be  named  as  one  ofthoaey  who,  imitatinf^  the 
heroes  whom  Montgomery  led,  have,  in  spite  of  the 
seasons,  visited  the  tomb  of  the  chief,  and  conquered 
the  country  where  he  lies  ?  Yes.  You  desire  your 
share  of  fame.  Then  seize  the  present  moment.  If 
you  do  not,  you  will  regret  it ;  and  say,  « the  valiant 
have  bled  in  vain  ;  the  friends  of  my  country  fell— 
and  I  was  not  there." 

Advance  then  to  our  aid.  I  will  wait  for  you  n 
few  days.  I  cannot  give  you  the  day  of  my  de- 
parture. But  come  on.  Come  in  companies,  half 
companies,  pairs,  or  singly.  I  will  organize  you  for 
a  short  tour.  Ride  to  this  place,  if  the  distance  is 
far,  and  send  back  your  horses.  But  remember,  that 
every  man  who  accompanies  us,  places  himself  un- 
ddr  my  command,  and  shall  submit  to  the  salutary 
restraints  of  discipline. 

ALEX.  SMYTH, 
Brig.  General. 

Cam/iyTiear  Bujfaloe,  JVov,  10,  Jai2. 

This  proclamation  had  the  effect  of  bringing 
to  the  frontier  a  very  considerable  number  of 
volunteers,  men  who  lived  the  hardy  life  of  farm« 
ers,  were  accustomed  to  the  woods,  knew  well  the 
use  of  the  rifle,  and  feared  Indians  as  little  as  they 
did  Englishmen. 

On  the  17th  November,  Gen.  Smyth  issued  a 
public  address  to  his  soldiers,  preparatory  to  aa 
immediately  intended  entrance  into  the  enemy's 
territory.  The  sentiments  contained  in  this  ad- 
dress are  noble,  humane,  and  soldierly.  From 
such  a  general  and  such  an  army,  the  public  ex- 
pected a  very  successful  campaign* 


^  M 


54 


BISTORT  OF  THE  WAB. 


I  ^ 


"  On  the  morning  of  the  2ist  November,  1S12,  a 
heavy  cannonade  was  opened  upon  the  garrison 
of  Fort  Niagara,  from  all  the  batteries  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Fort  George,  consisting  of  five 
dietached  batteries,  two  mounting  24  pounders, 
one  mounting  a  9,  and  two  mortar  batteries.  The 
firing  continued  thirteen  hours;  some  buildings 
ivere  set  on  fire  by  the  hot  shot  from  the  envmy, 
but  extinguished  without  doing  material  injury. 

The  garrison  at  Niagara,  in  return,  opened  a 
tremendous  and  well  directed  fire  with  hot  shot. 
The  town  of  Newark  was  several  times  in  flames, 
as  also  the  centre  building  in  Fort  George.  Capt. 
M'!l^eon  commanded  a  ±2  pounder  in  the  S.  £» 
block-house,  and  distinguished  himself  by  his  u- 
sual  gallantry  and  skill.  Gapt.  Jacks,  of  the  7lh 
regiment  militia-artillery,  commanded  a  6  pound- 
CT  on  the  N.  block-house,  and  together  with  a 
part  of  his  oWn  company,  though  placed  in  a  ^t- 
uation  most  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy, 
maintained  their  position  like  veterans.  Lieut. 
Rees  of  the  artiAery,  had  command  of  an  IS 
pounder  on  the  S«.  E..  battery ;  until  10  o'clock, 
vi^hen.  he  received  a  wound,  which  compelled  him 
to  resign  the  command  t&  Capt.  Leonard,  of'  the 
artillery.  Lieut.Wendell,  of  the  3d  artillery,  cod»- 
manded  an  18  and  a  4  pounder  en  the  W.  battery. 
Dr^Hooper,  of  the  mi]itia,commanded  a  6  pound- 
er on  the  mess-house ;  Lieuts.  Ganesvoort  and 
IJarris  had  the  command  of  the  salt-battery  ait 
Youngstewn,  mounting  one  1 8  and  a  4  pounder. 
These  several  posts  were  maintained  with  reso- 
lution, judgment,  and  great  effect.  Lieut.  Col. 
Gray  commanded  the  artillery,  and  gave  the 
anotost  satisfactonr  proof  of  his  zeal  and  seienoew 
Major  Armstead  of  the  corps  of  engineers,  was 
ind«jGiiUgable  in  eiUeiidiDg  his  ^s^eruous  io^  «|l 


HI9T0ET  OF  THE  WAR. 


BB 


^arts  of  the  garrison.  Lieut.  Col.  George  Mc« 
Feel^  commanded  the  fort.  The  American  loss 
eonsistedof  4  killed,  and  7  wounded.  '^ 

The  hopes  which  General  Smyth  had  raised  by 
)iis  proclamation  weij^  not  to  be  realized.  Twice 
the  troops  embarked,  and  as  often  disembarked. 
Public  opinion,  hitherto  on  the  side  of  General 
Smyth,  now  began  to  veer.  His  courage  as  well 
as  his  patriotism  was  questioned ;  censure  was 
followed  by  insult  and  menace.  The  project  of 
invasion  was  finally  abandoned.  The  volunteers 
were  dismissed,  and  the  army  ordered  into  win- 
ter quarters.  Thus  ended  the  operationsy  for 
this  seas<}n,  ;f  ihe  army  of  the  centre.  ^^i^-» 

Gen.  Sn  .  justified  himself  on  the  grounds 
that  he  ha^i:  Jwcctions  not  to  pass  over  with  less 
than  3000  men;  that  he  could  not  prevail  on 
more  than  1500  men  to  embark ;  and  that  an  at- 
tack on  the  enemy  under  such  circumstances,  was 
contrary  to  the  opinion  of  a  council  of  his  ofiieers. 
«  My  orders  (says  the  general,  in  reply  to  a 
committee  from  the  patriotic  citizens  of  the  west- 
ern counties  of  New- York)  were  to  pass  into  Ca- 
nada with  3000  men  at  once.  On  the  first  day 
of  embarkation  not  more  than  1400  men  were 
embarked,  of  whom  -^CO,  that  is,  half  of  the  re- 
gular infantry,  were  exhaustetl  with  fUtigue  «n4 
want  of  rest.  On  the  second  embarkation,  only 
1600  men  were  embarked,  and  these  were  to  have 
put  off  immediately,  and  to  have  descended  the 
river  to  a  point  where  reinforcements  were  not 
to  be  expected.  On  both  days,  many  of  tbe  re- 
gular troops  were  men  in  bad  health  wrlio  could 
not  have  stood  one  day's  march  ;  wlio,  although 
they  were  on  the  sick  report,  were  turned  out  by 
their  ardent  officers.'* 

This  reply  was  dated  3d  December*    On  the' 


mM\ 


«M 


BISTORT  OF  THE  WAB* 


ii? 


I! 


8th  of  the  same  month,  General  Peter  B.  Porter 
gave  notice  in  the  Ruffaloe  Gazette*  that  lie  would 
soon  publish  a  **  true  account  of  some  of  the  most 
prominent  transactions  of  those  days."  In  this 
notice  General  Porter  ascribes  the  failure  of  the 
expedition  to  the  cowardice  of  General  Smyth. 

General  Smyth  must  remain  convicted*  in  the 
eyes  of  the  world*  of  falsehood  and  cowardice*  if 
he  continued  passive  under  such  charges.  Mo- 
dern chivalry  pointed  out  the  course  which  must 
be  pursued.  General  Smyth  sent  a  challenge  to 
General  Porter^  which  the  latter  accepted. 

The  parties  passed  over  to  Grand  Island*  on 
the  13th  Oeoember ;  a  shot  was  exchanged*  in  a^ 
intrepid  mp'  .ner*  but  without  effect,  when*  on  the 
suggestion  of  General  Smyth's  second*  a  mutual 
explanalion  and  reconciliation  took  place;  and 
the  parties  separated. 

General  Porter*  on  the  following  day*  deliver- 
ed the  promised  statement  of  transactions  to  the 
editor  of  the  Buffaloe  Gazette,  in  which  pap^r 
it  accordingly  appeared. 

The  statement  is  plain  and  satisfactory ;  and 
divested  of  that  asperity,  which  was  probably  in- 
tended to  accompany  it. 

In  this  statement*  it  is  represented,  that,  on 
the  27th  November,  there  were  collected  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Niagara,  4500  effective  men ; 
that  the  vessels  collected  for  the  purpose*  were 
sufficient  for  the  transportation  of  3550  men; 
that  the  numlier  of  men  actually  embarked  were 
estimated  to  consist  of  Between  2000  and  2600  ; 
that  about  2000  more  men  were  paraded  on 
shore*  seemingly  ready  to  cross;  that  several 
boats  of  sufficient  capacity  to  carry  about  1000 
men  were  still  lying  uJ>oc<5upied ;  and  that  the 

-^my*  estimated  at  about  500  men*  were  drawn 
V  in  a  liooi  at  about  half  a  mile  frexa  the  men 


ih 


HISTORY  OV  THE  WAB. 


67 


As  a  proof  of  ^hat  could  be  effected^  had  the 
men  been  permitted  to  pass  over.  General  Por- 
ter states  the  bravery  and  success  with  which 
a  detachment  which  crossed  over  by  direction 
of  General  Smyth»  accomplished  its  mission; 
having  completely  routed  the  enemy>  spiked  his 
•annon>  and  taken  several  prisoners.  «  Out  of 
12  naval  officers*  who  embarked  in  this  enter- 
prize,  nine  of  them,  (says  General  Porter«)  with 
more  than  half  their  men*  were  killed  or 
wounded.'' 

General  Smyth,  in  a  letter  to  the  editors  of  the 
National  Intelligencer,  dated  23th  January,  isiay 
refutes  the  statement  of  General  Porter.      «,.  a 

« I  affirm,  (says  General  Smyth,^  that  on  the  27th 
November,  there  were  collected  m  the  neighbour* 
hood  of  Black  Rock,  not  more  than  3500  effective 
men,  non-commissioned  officers,  and  privates,  of 
every  corps  under  my  command;  not  more  than 
1500  of  those  were  liable  to  be  ordered  to  cross  the 
Niagara,  according  to  opinions  generally  received. 
On  the  2 1st,  there  were  1050  good  troops  embarked, 
and  also  as  many  irregular  volunteers  as  occupied 
five  boats,  estimated  at  1 50.  On  the  morning  of  the 
1st  December,  the  number  of  men  armed  with  mus- 
kets, who  were  at  the  navy-yard,  embarked  or  not 
embarked,  did  not  exceed  2000  men.** 

In  this  refutation,  General  Smyth  insinuates 
that  General  Porter,  acting  as.  contractor  to  the 
army,  was  not  prepared  to  supply  the  necessary 
rations,  having  on  the  30th  November  only  3^ 
barrels  of  flour  on  hand,  «  not  two  pounds  of 
flour  to  each  man."—"  The  hostility  of  General 
Porter  to  myself,  (says  General  Smyth,)  grew 
out  of  the  coniraeU 

While  the  expeditions  thus  progressed  from 
ill-design^  to  its  unavoidable  consequence^  un^ 


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58 


BISTORT  OF  THE   ^ITAR, 


«Hocesaful  terinination»  the  minor  expeditions  did 
honour  to  the  officers  who  commaudedy  and  the 
few  men  who  were  engaged  in  them.  Among 
these  the  following  must  not  be  omitted. 

The  Brigs  Adams  and  Caledonia,  which  were 
surrendered  to  the  enemy  by  General  Hull,  at 
Detroit)  having  arrived  and  anchored  under  the 
British  Fort  Erie,  on  the  8th  i>ctober,  1812, 
Captain  Elliot,  of  the  navy,  who  had  arrived  at 
Black  Rock  the  same  day,  with  a  body  ol*  sailors 
from  New- York,  determined  on  an  attempt  to 
regain  them.  Having  made  the  necessary  dis- 
positions, he  advanced  at  1  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  9th  October,  having  under  his  com- 
mand, 100  men  in  two  boats,  including  30  volun- 
teers from  the  army,  with  Captain  Townson,  and 
Lieutenant  Boaohe,  of  the  artillery;  at  8  o*clock 
lie  was  along  side  the  vessels ;  in  ten  mi- 
nutes they  Were  under  way,  and  the  prison- 
ers secured.  An  unfavourable  wind  obliged  them 
to  run  down  the  river,  by  the  forts,  under  a 
heavy  fire  of  round,  grape,  and  oannister  shot, 
from  a  number  of  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance  and 
flying  artillery ;  and  he  was  compelled  to  anchor 
about  40  yards  from  one  of  their  batteries;  the 
Caledonia  being  got  into  a  safe  position,  a  fire 
was  returned  from  the  guns  of  the  Adams,  as 
long  as  ammunition  lasted.  It  being  found  im- 
possible longer  to  withstand  the  lire  of  the  ene- 
my, which  would  probably  sink  the  vessel  in  a 
short  time,  he  was  compelled  to  cut  the  cable, 
and  drift  down  the  river,  out  of  reach  of  the  bat- 
teries, but  remained  still  exposed  to  the  flying 
artillery ;  having  thus  dropped  astern  for  about 
10  minutes,  and  being  deserted  by  the  pilot,  he 
was  brought  up  on  the  shore  of  Squaw  Island. 
From  this  place  he  sent  the  prisoners  on  shore 


BISTORT  07  THE  WAR. 


I# 


with  much  difficulty ;  and,  having  himself  pass- 
ed from  the  brig  to  the  shore^  he  soon  discovered 
that  about  forty  soldiers  had  crossed  in  a  boat, 
from  the  British  side,  and  boarded  the  biig;  but 
they  were  soon  compelled  to  abandon  her,  with 
the  loss  of  nearly  all  their  men.  During  the 
whole  of  the  morning,  both  sides  of  the  river 
kept  up  alternately  a  cont>*^  w  ^  on  the  brig, 
and  so  much  injured  her,  tk.ut  it  as  impossible 
to  have  floated  her — she  was  of  course  destroy- 
ed. 

A  patrole  was  stationed  on  the  shore,  to  co- 
operate in  case  of  emergency ;  it  was  command- 
ed by  Lieut.  Col.  Scott,  of  the  artillery^  having 
under  him  Major  Mullaiiy,  of  the  infantry,  as  a 
volunteer.  Major  Cuyler,  Aid  to  General  Hall, 
and  J.  Bankbead,  Brigade  Major  to  General 
Smyth*s  brigade.  As  Majors  Mullany  and  Cuy- 
ler were  riding  close  together,  the  former  re- 
ceived an  order  from  Col.  Scott  to  proceed  to 
the  navy-yard,  to  direct  two  boats  to  be  manned^ 
and  sent  to  the  assistanceof  the  captured  vessels; 
he  had  but  just  sprang  ahead,  in  execution  of  this 
order,  when  a  round  shot  from  the  enemy,  which 
passed  through  the  fore-snil  of  the  Adams, 
struck,  and  instantly  killed  Major  Cuyler,  and 
thus  deprived  the  service  of  a  brave  and  useful 
officer. 

Major  Young,  of  the  Troy  Militia,  command- 
ant of  a  detachment  stationed  at  French  Mills» 
on  the  St.  Regis  river,  having  received  informa- 
tion that  a  party  of  the  enemy  had  arrived  at 
the  village  of  St.  Regis,  and  that  more  were 
shortly  expected,  formed  a  resolution  to  take 
them  out  before  they  were  reinforced.  For  this 
purpose  he  marched  a  detachment  at  11  o'clock, 
on  the  night  of  the  ^Ist  Octoberf  crossed  the 


( h 


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Jiy  111:; 


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\i 


li! 


ril 


ll! 

ill 

I 


60 


HISTORT  OV  THE  WAU. 


river,  at  Gray's  Mills,  about  S,  and  at  5  in  tho 
morning  arrived  within  lia|f  a  mile  of  the  village, 
unexpected  by  the  enemy.  Here  the  major  made 
such  a  judicious  disposition  of  his  men  that  the 
enemy,  were  entirely  surrounded,  and  after  a  ftw 
discharges*  syrrendered  themselves  prisoners, 
with  the  loss  of  5  killed.  The  result  of  this  af- 
fair was,  the  capture  of  40  prisoners,  with  their 
arms,  equipments,  &e.  one  stand  of  colours,  and 
two  batteaux,  without  a  man  of  our  party  beine 
hurt.  They  got  jsafc  bach:  to  camp  at  11  oVlock 
in  the  morning.  The  prisoners  were  sent  off  to 
Plattsburgh.  M-<vjor  Young  has  had  the  honour 
of  taking  the  iir^  standard  from  the  enemy  in 
the  present  war. 

The  movements  of  the  enemy,  during  the«e 
times,  were  not  to  them  equally  honourable  or 
important. 

The  village  of  Ogdensburg,  on  the  St.  Law- 
rence, was  bombarded  on  the  2d  Oct.  1812,  for 
3  hours,  from  Prescott,  opposite ;  between  20  and 
30  twelve  and  nine  pound  shot  were  picked  up  in 
the  gardens  and  streets,  but  no  damage  was  done. 
The  firing  was  brought  on  by  the  attempt  of  a 
party  of  Americans  to  take  some  Canadian  boats^ 
but  they  did  not  succeed.  The  garrison  at  Og- 
densburg consists  of  500  men,  under  General 
Brown,  from  Jefferson  county. 

The  Sunday  following,  the  British  prepared 
40  boats,  with  from  10  to  16  armed  men  in  each, 
and  six  pieoes  of  artillery,  with  which  they  ad- 
vanced to  storm  the  town.  When  arrived  with- 
in a  short  distance,  our  troops  opened  a  warm 
fire  upon  them,  and  the  contest  continued  about 
two  hours,  when  the  British,  having  two  of  their 
boats  so  knocked  to  pieces,  as  to  oblige  them  to 
be  abandoned^  and  one  taken^  on  board  of  which 


an  immens 


BISTORT  OF  THE  WAB. 


61 


trere  6  men,  fled  precipitately  to  Presoott.    No 
damage  was  sustained  on  our  side. 

From  tlie  judicious  arrangements  made  by 
Col.  Benedict,  Capt.  Forsyth,  Capt.  GriiBn,  Ma- 
jor Dimook,  Adjt.  Hotohkiss,  Capt.  Hubbard, 
Capt.  Benedict,  Capt.  M*Nit,  and  others  oFthe 
troops  under  their  command,  as  directed  by 
Gen.  Brown,  bad  the  enemy  attempted  a  landing 
an  immense  slaughter  must  have  ensued.  No 
person  could  have  been  more  attentive  than  Gen. 
Brown,  through  the  whole  action.  Praise  is  al- 
so due  to  his  field,  staff,  and  commissioned  of- 
firers. 

By  this  action  the  British  are  taught,  that 
400  Yankees  will  not  decline  a  combat,  when  at» 
tacked  by  1000  of  their  troo|)s.  Cols.  Leth- 
bridge  and  Breckenridge,  led  the  British  in  per- 
son. 

On  the  3d  October,  the  British  brig  Royal 
George,  went  into  the  Genessee  river,  and  cut 
out  the  schooner  Lady  Murray,  and  a  revenue 
cutter.  There  wab  no  force  then  there  that 
eould  resist  the  enemy. 

l^he  national  pride  had  been  already  highly 

gratified  by  success  on  the  ocean ;  the  public 

I  eye  was  anxiously  directed  to  that  element,  in 

expectation  of  further  glory.    The  public  hope 

was  not  to  be  disappointed. 

At  day  light  on  the  18th  Oct.  1812,  about  the 
jlat.  of  37  deg.  north,  and  Ion.  65  deg*  west.  Cap- 
ital n^   Jacob    Jones,    commanding    the   United 
States*  sloop  of  war  Wasp,  of  18  guns,  got 
I  sight  of  a  British  convoy  of  six  large  armed 
merchant  ships,  under  protection  of  the  British 
sloop  of  war  Frolic  commanded  by  Capt.  Whin- 
yatcs.     A  signal  was  made  by  the  Frolic  for 
|the  fleet  to  disperse.    At  30  minutes  past  eleven 


V  '^tl 


"if 


:  -I 


6t 


BISTORT  OF  TBFi  WAR* 


Ai 


A.  M.  an  engagement  commencrd  between  tlie 
two  sloops,  at  a  short  distance,  and  continued 
until  the  vessels  were  so  close,  that  the  rammers 
of  the  ^asp  were,  while  loading  the  last  broad> 
aide,  shoved  against  the  side  of  the  enemy.  I'he 
Froiie  was  boarded  on  her  forecastle,  and  im- 
mediately  surrendered.  The  manner  in  which 
this  engagement  was  maintained,  was  highly 
honourable  to  the  Americans.  The  Froiie 
mounted  22  guns;  sixteen  of  them  32  pound 
carronades,  and  four  12  pounders  on  the  main 
deck,  and  two  i  2  pounders,  carronades,  on  the 
top-gallant  forecastle,  making  her  superior  in 
force  to  the  DVasp,  by  four  12  pounders.  On 
board  the-^asp,  there  were  five  killed,  and  five 
ivounded.  The  exact  loss  of  the  enemy- oould 
not  be  ascertained,  as  many  of  the  dead  kiy  buii* 
ed  under  the  masts  and  spare  that  had  fallen  up- 
on the  deck,  which  two  hours  exertipn  had  not 
sufficiently  removed.  Lieut.  Biddle,  who  had 
charge  of  the  Frolic,  states,  from  what  he  saw, 
and  by  information  from  the  officers,  the  numlier  | 
of*  killed  must  have  been  thirty;  that  of  the 
wounded,  about  forty  or  fifty. 

The  Wasp  suffered  so  much  in  this  aetionJ 
that  both  masts  fell  on  the  deck  a  few  minutes  I 
lifter  sefrarating  from  the  Frolic ;  evei^  brace, 
and  most  of  the  rigging,^  had  been  shot  awaj 
during  the  action. 

In  this  state,  she  nearly  remained,  when,  is 
two  hours  after  the   aetion,   the   British  sliip| 
Foictiers,  of  74  guns,  hove  in  sight ;  and,  soon  j 
after  took  possession  of  the  two  sloops,  and  or- 
dered them  for  Bermuda. 

The  captain  of  the  Frolic,  in  his  official  let- 1 
ter  to  Admiral  "Warren,  states  that  every  officer 
firas  wounded^  and  the  greater  part  of  the  men 


DISTORT  OP  THE  1VAR> 


6d 


either  killed  or  grounded ;  there  not  being  twenty 
persons  remaining  unhurt. 

The  following  resolution  of  the  Common 
Council  of  New*  York,  will  show  the  high  light 
in  which  they  held  Capt.  Jones  and  his  crew. 

M  Reaohed,  That  an  elegant  sword  be  presented  to 
Captain  Jones,  late  of  the  United  States'  sloop  of 
war  Wasp,  and  also  the.  freedom  of  this  city,  as  a 
testimony  of  the  high  opinion  this  Corporation  en- 
tertain of  his  gallant  conduct,  in  capturing  the  Brit- 
ish  sloop  of  war  Frolic  ;  and  that  the  thanks  of  the 
Common  Council  be  presented  to  his  brave  officers 
and  crew."  '. 

The  United  States'  frigate  United  States* 
Captain  Stephen  Decatur,  being  on  a  cruise,  fell 
in,  on  the  25th  October,  1812,  with  his  Britan- 
nie  Majesty's  frigate  Macedonian,  Captain  J. 
S.  Carden,  in  lat.  29,  N.  Ion.  29, 30,  W.  and,  after 
an  action  of  an  hour  and  a  half,  (17  minutes  of 
which  was  in  close  action,)  the  British  frigate 
was  captured.  The  Macedonian  was  of  the 
largest  class  of  British  frigates,  two  years  old» 
but  four  months  out  of  dock,  and  mounting  49 
guns,  (the  odd  one  shifting.)  This  engagement 
gave  another  indisputable  proof  of  the  superi- 
ority of  American  discipline  and  gunnery. 

The  loss  on  both  sides  was  as  follows :     - 

On  board  the  United  States,  2  seamen,  2  mar 
fines,  1  boy — Total  killed,  5. 

Wounded,  1  lieutenant,  1  carpenter,  4  seameut 
1  marine— Total  wounded,  7 ;  of  whom,  Lieut. 
Funk^  and  John  Archibald,  died  of  their  wounds. 

On  board  the  Macedonian,  there  were  36  kil- 
led, and  68  wounded;  36  of  whom  severely.    ^ 

By  the  muster  roll  of  the  Macedonian,  it  ap- 
peared that  there  were  seven  impressed  Ame* 


;  ff  m 


'. 


Cii 


:l!i 


;«* 


it  UIBTOBY   OV  THE   WAV. 

k 

ricans  on  board,  during  the  action,  two  of  wliom 
were  killed. 

The  United  States  and  Macedonian  arrived 
oflTMontang  Point*  on  tlie  4ih  Deoember;  but 
Wisve  prevented  IVodi  reaching  New-York  before 
the  first  day  of  the  new  year,  181S. 

On  the  arrival  of  Captain  Hull  at  New-York* 
he  was  presented  by  the  corporation  of  the  eity, 
with  the  freedom  of  the  eity,  in  a  gold  box.  At 
soon  as  Captain  Hull  entered  the  council  cham- 
ber, conducted  by  aldermen  Fish  and  Mesier, 
and  General  Morton,  he  was  addressed  by  his 
honour  De  Witt  Clinton,  mayor  of  the  oiir,  in 
an  appropriate  speech.  Captain  Hull,  with  all 
that  modesty  so  frequently  allied  to  Yirtuous 
bravery,  made  a  short,  but  very  becoming  reply. 
The  Captain  then  took  the  freeman's  oath,  and 
retired,  amidst  an  immense  crowd,  who  filled  the 
air  with  reiterated  huzzas.  On  the  following 
day,  a  splendid  naval  dinner  was  given  by  the 
corporation  to  Captain  Hull,  Com.  Decatur, 
and  Captain  Jones,  in  testimony  of  the  high 
sense  entertained  of  the  merits  of  these  gentle- 
incn.  Nothing  was  omitted  to  render  this  din- 
ner truly  descriptive  of  the  occasion^  and  the 
feeJings  of  the  citizens. 

On  the  9th  of  January  another  dinner  was  eiv- 
en  by  the  corporation,  to  the  crew  of  the  United 
States.  The  seamen  and  marines,  having  form- 
ed in  procession,  proceeded  from  the  place  of 
landing  to  the  City  Hotel,  amidst  the  plaudits  of 
thousands  of  citizens.  On  the  arrival  of  the 
sailorsi  and  they  being  seated,  they  were  address- 
ed by  Mr.  Yanderbilt,  with  his  usual  energy  and 
perspicuity.  The  boatswain  made  a  short  reply, 
expressive  of  the  gratitude  of  his  shipmates,  and 
their  wish  for  a  further  opportunity  to  prove  their 


U18T0RT   or   THE   WAR, 


68 


(Icvotedness  <o  their  country.  At  6  u'cloek,  the 
proceosion  yuM  rc-rorined,  when  they  proceeded 
tu  the  Theatre,  at  the  express  wisli  and  invita- 
tion of  the  managers,  who  reserved  the  pit  ox- 
oluiivcly  for  their  accommodation.  The  harmo- 
ny of  the  day  was  not  interrupted  by  a  single 
irregularity. 

The  enemy  had  some  consolation,  (if  consola- 
tion it  can  be  called,)  by  the  capture,  in  Novem- 
ber, of  the  United  States'  brig  of  war  Vixen,  of 
1^  guns,  by  his  ms^csty's  frigate  Southampton, 
of  S2  guns. 

Both  vessels  were  wrecked  shortly  after wards» 
on  the  desert  Island  of  Conception ;  at  whicli- 
time  most  of  the  crew  of  the  Southampton,  throw- 
ing off  the  controul  of  their  officers^  refused  ta' 
do  duty. 

On  this  occasion,  the  intrepid  exertions  of  our 
tars,  aided  by  their  officers,  were  chiefly  instru- 
mental in  saving  the  moveable  property  on  board 
the  frigate.  So  sensible  was  Sir  James  Yeo  of 
the  generous  conduct  of  the  American  sailors^ 
that  he  drew  them  up  on  the  island,  and  publicly 
thanked  them  in  the  warmest  terms. 

Although  a  patriotic  support  of  the  war  was 
the  distinguishing  feature  of  the  public  senti* 
ment,  yet  there  was  a  strange  apathy  too  preva- 
lent, which  tended  not  a  little  to  render  its  early 
stage  unpropitious  to  the  country.  Something 
was  necessary  to  awaken  the  unroused  loyalty 
of  the  people.  Victory  might  have  that  effect  $ 
perhaps  defeat  was  a  more  powerful  agent.  The 
defeat  and  surrender  of  Gen.  Hull,  so  much  dis- 
appointed the  expectations  excited  by  the  gene- 
ral's proclamation,  that  it  is  impossible  to  depict 
the  first  effect.  The  mortification  of  disappomt- 
Sieot>  added  to  the  serious  loss  of  a  fine  army^ 


w 


f  i^  1 


•   I 


li 


;  '!i 


1'  i 


11! 


66 


HISTOBY   ev  THE   WAB. 


threw  a  temporary  gloom  over  the  citizens. — 
This  soon  gave  way  to  resentment^  and  a  deter- 
mination to  wipe  off  the  <*  foul  stain."  The  spirit 
of  the  nation  rose,  and  that  of  '76  seemed  to  re* 
turn.  This  senlimentf  which  fiervaded  a  great 
proportion  of  the  nation*  was  most  powerful  in 
the  western  country.  All  felt  the  necessity  of 
immediate  action ;  Kentuefcy  and  Ohio  may  be 
said  to  have  broken  loose ;  an  army  was  ready, 
as  if  by  magic,  prepared  to  avenge  the  late  dis- 
grace. A  leader  was  wanting — all  eyes  looked* 
with  a  common  impulse,  towards  the  hero  of 
Tippacanoe;  the  united  voice  of  the  people  call- 
ed on  the  governor  to  dispense  with  all  formali- 
ties; and  William  UEMuy  Harrison  was  ap- 
pointed a  major-  general,  with  directions  to  take 
<rommand  of  the  north  western  army.  This  a|^ 
pointment  was  confirmed  by  the  President  of  the 
United  States. 

The  exposed  situation  of  the  north  western 
frontier*  after  the  surrender  of  Hull,  required 
the  utmost  exertions  for  its  protection.  It  was 
not  possible  entirely  to  avert  the  impending  dan- 
ger. 

The  Indians  had  already  eommenced  their  sa- 
vage warfare,  by  an  attack  on  Fort  Dearborn^ 
and  the  massacre  of  its  garrison.  Fort  Dearborn 
(Chicago)  was  but  a  weak  garrison,  consisting  of 
about  50  men,  there  were  also  in  it  a  few  wo^ 
men  and  children.  A  large  body  of  Indians  ha- 
lving menaced  the  fort,  it  wds  agreed  in  a  coun- 
cil, which  was  held  with  the  faithless  tribes,  that 
the  garrison  should  be  spared  on  condition  of 
surrendering  the  place  without  resistance.  They 
inarched  out  on  the  li^th  Sept.  and,  when  about 
a  mile  from  the  fort,  were  fired  upon,  and  mur- 
dered, with  the  exception  ef  about  10  or  ^ 
who  eseaped. 


BISTORT   OV  THE   WAB. 


67 


Fort  Belview  (Madison)  on  the  Mississippi, 
vas  attacked  on  the  4th  Heptcmber,  by  the  In* 
diaiis,  with  all  the  desperation  that  a  want  of 
real  courage  oould  inspire ;  the  attack  was  re- 
newed daily  until  the  8th,  when  the  Indians,  af- 
ter suffering  very  severely,  withdrew,  leaving  the 
brave  garrison  safe.  One  soldier,  who  was  out 
of  the  fort  when  the  attack  commeuf^d,  was 
massacred :  no  lives  were  lost  in  the  fort ;  an<l 
only  one  man  wounded.        ■/.      ^  ;  ;    .      :^   .^ 

About  11  o*clock  in  the  e^ettinl  oY  {be  Ifli 
September,  Fort  Harrison,  in  the  Indiana  Terri- 
tory, was  attacked  by  a  vast  number  of  Jndians. 
The  garrison  was  weak,  and  the  most  of  them» 
including  its  intrepid  commander,  Capt.  Z.Tay- 
lor, either  sick  or  convalescent.  The  attack 
was  continued,  in  a  most  furious  manner,  until 
about  sun- rise  the  following  morning,  when  the 
savages  retired,  driving  away  or  shooting  all  the 
cattle  they  could  find. 

Several  expeditions  were  formed  against  the 
Indians,  for  the  protection  of  "the  inhabitants^ 
and  keeping  open  the  necessary  communieationsw 
Colonel  Russell,  witlra  small  detachment  of  the 
United  States' rangers,  proceeded  to  the  head 
of  the  Peori  Lake,  where  he  destroyed  the  cele- 
brated Pi  mertain^s  town.  General  Hopkins,  with 
about  1200  troops, left  Fort  Harrison  on  the  11th 
December,  and  succeeded  in  destroying  several 
villages  along  the  Wabash  ;  a  party  of  6sS  that 
left  the  camp,  in  search  of  a  man  who  was  mis» 
sing,  f^ll  in  with  a  large  force  of  horse  and  foot 
Indians:  this  party  suffered  a  defeat,  with  a  loss 
of  16,'  making,  with  the  missing  man,  17.  Gen. 
Tapper  defeated  a  nuraerons  body  of  British  and 
Indians,  near  the  Rapids  of  the  Miami :  tbo  dif- 
ficulty of  erossbg  th«  river;  sind  wfiiit  of  prov!- 


i^aV 


'.i=i 


/ 


'ti 


\ 


as 


HISTORY  OT  THE  WAK. 


'  ,1 


sionsy  obliged  the  expedition  to  return,  having 
lo8t4killea;  and  one  being  wounded.  Colonel 
Campbell,  with  600  men,  attacked  one  of  the 
Massissinewa  towns,  on  the  17th  and  18th  Dec. 
and  defeated  the  Indians,  after  a  most  desperate 
eonfliet :  the  American  loss  was  8  killed,  and  2g 
wounded ;  the  Indian  town  was  burned.  Colonel 
John  B.  Campbell,  on  the  17th  Nov.  attacked 
the  savages  at  a  town  on  the  Massissinewa, 
which  he  burned,  as  well  as  three  other  towns 
further  down  the  river*  killing  several*  and  tak- 
ing S7  prisoners :  on  the  morning  of  the  lith 
Deo.  his  camp  was  attacked  b^  about  300  In- 
dians, who  were  defeated,  after  an  engagement 
of  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour.  The  loss  of 
the  Amerieans  in  these  affairs,  was  9  killed j  and 
about  35  or  40  wounded ;  about  40  of  the  Ii^- 
dians  were  killed.  The  Indians  also  suffered  vt 
defeat  from  Col.  T^illiams,  commanding  the  Ten- 
nessee troops.     '■  .        ■  '■'.../,>„>''_>:u^..  ;/■'■•:  S;,.  . 

These  actions  were  well  calculated  to  inspire 
the  Indians  with  a  proper  respect  for  the  Ame- 
ricans ;  and,,  if  followed  up  with  continued  suc- 
cess, would  tend  to  estrange  the  savage  enemy 
from  his  British  ally;  but  a  sad  rey^rse  soon  oc- 
ourred^  >-  ''^        *   * 

A  detachment,  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
^Winchester,  being  attacked  oir  the  d2d  Jan.  1813, 
at  Frenchtown,  on  the  river  Raisin,  by  a  greatly 
superior  force  of  Indians  and  British,  aided  by 
.several  pieces  of  artillery,  suffered  a  defeat.  The 
Americans  lost  no  honour  on  this  occasion;  they 
defended  themselves,  and  fought  with  despera- 
tion, even  beyond  the  time  when  prudenee  and 
honour  would  have  sanctioned  a  surrender.  Gen. 
'Winchester,  being  himself  a  prisoner,  agreed  to 
a  surrender  of  the  troops  under  his  cMmuand^aa 


BI8T0BT  OF  THE  WAR 


69 


condition  that  they  should  he  protected  against 
tlie  savages,  and  allowed  to  retain  their  private 
property  and  side  arms.  Thirty-fi  ve  officers,  and 
490  non- commissioned  officers  and  privates  were 
made  prisoners ;  the  number  of  killed  was  con* 
siderable. 

The  prisoners  who  were  in  health  were  march- 
ed  to  Maiden ;  the  wounded  were,  contrary  to  the 
terms  of  capitulation,  left  at  the  mercy  of  the 
Indians.  On  the  morning  of  the  23d,  such  of 
the  wounded  as  were  unable  to  travelj,  were  to* 
niahawked  and  scalped. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  report  of  a  com* 
mittee  of  Congress,  on  this  subject : 

«  The  massacre  of  the  3Sd  January,  afler  the  capi- 
tulation, was  perpetrated  without  any  exertion  on 
their  part  to  prevent  it ;  indeed,  it  is  apparent,  from 
all  the  circumstances,  that  ^f  the  British  officers  did 
not  connive  at  their  destruction,  they  were  criminally 
indifferent  about  the  fate  of  the  wounded  prisoners. 
But  what  marks  more  strongly  the  degradation  of 
the  character  of  the  British  soldiers,  is  the  refusal  of 
the  last  offices  of  humc.nity  to  the  bodies  of  the  dead. 
The  bodies  of  our  countrymen  were  exposed  to  every 
indignity,  and  became  food  for  brutes,  in  the  sight  of 
men  who  affect  a  sacred  regard  to  the  dictates  of 
honour  and  religion.-— Low  indeed  is  the  character 
of  that  army,  which  is  reduced  to  the  confession^ 
that  their  savage  auxiliaries  will  not  permit  them  to 
perform  the  rites  of  sepulture  to  the  slain.  The 
committee  have  not  been  able  to  discover  even  \'he 
expression  of  detestation,  which  such  conduct  must 
inspire,  from  the  military  or  civil  authority  on  the 
Canadian  frontier,  unless  such  detestation  is  to  be 
presumed  from  the  choice  of  an  Indian  tiophy,  as  an 
ornament  for  the  Legislative  Hall  of  Upper  Canada.*' 

At  a  meeting  of  the  officers  v  iio  survived  the 
battle  of  FrenchtowD,  held  a  4  iirie,  (Pa.)  th«i 


.i  -'1^ 


■is:k'::1 


70 


mSTOB'E'  07  THE  WAS. 


Ai 


li  li 


SOth  Feb.  1813,  the  following  statement  and  re^ 
solutions  were  agreed  to. 

**  Whereas  it  is  deemed  necessary,  that  our  fellow* 
oitizens  should  be  informed  of  the  late  perfidious 
and  brutal  acts  of  the  British  government,  performed 
by  their  officers  at  the  battle  of  Frenchtovrn. 

Reaotvedy  That  the  folio wiog  statement  of  the 
eonduct  of  the  British  officers,  be  published  to  our 
countrymen : 

That  when  General  Winchester  was  taken  pri- 
soner, on  the  32d  January,  1813,  and  brought  before 
Colonel  Proctor,  the  British  commander,  he  directed 
the  commanding  officer  of  the  Americans  (Major 
Madison)  to  surrender.  Major  Madison  refused  so 
to  do,  unless  those  who  surrendered  should  be  free 
from  savage  massacre ;  this  was  agreed  to ;  and  the 
British  officers  pledged  themselves  to  have  a  suffi- 
cient force  with  the  wounded,  to  protect  them,  ai^d 
that  they  should  be  conveyed  to  Maiden  the  next 
morrmg.  They  likewise  promised  to  return  to  the 
officers  their  arms  at  Maiden. 

Capt.  N.  G.  F.  Hart,  inspector  to  the  north-west- 
em  army,  being  among  the  wouoded,  it  was  pro- 
posed by  his  friends,  that  they  should  carry  him 
with  them — this  they  were  prevented  from  doing,  by 
Capt  Elliot,  a  Bridsh  officer,  and  an  old  acquaintance 
of  Captain  Hart's,  who  promised  Capt.  H.  his  special 
protection— to  convey  him  in  his  own  sleigh  to  Mai- 
den that  evening,  and  informing  him  that  he  should 
be  welcome  to  remain  at  his  house  there,  until  he 
should  recover.  ^ 

These  were  the  promiset  of  the  British—Let  ouv 
countrymen  and  the  world  see  how  they  were  fulfilled. 

At  the  break  of  day  next  morning,  the  savages 
loere  suffered  to  commit  every  defir  edation  ufion  our 
Hooundedf  which  they  fileaaed.  An  indiacriminate 
alaughter  took  filace  of  all  who  <were  unable  to  walk-^ 
many  were  tomahaivkedy  and  many  were  burned  alive- 
m  the  houaea.  Among  the  unfortunate  thus  mur- 
dered, it  is  with  regret  and  sorrow  we  haye  to  nainf> 
Captains  Hart  and  Hickmaqj* 


BXflTOBT  «F  TBB  WAS* 


n 


The  arms  of  the  officers,  as  promised,  were  never 
returned.  Every  species  of  private  property  re- 
xnaining  in  the  tents,  belonging  to  both  officers  and 
soldiers,  were  plundered  by  the  savages. 

Resolved,  That  in  consideration  of  the  high  re- 
spect we  hold  to  the  memories  of  both  officers  and 
soldiers,  who  were  thus  cruelly  murdered,  by  per- 
mission of  the  British  commander  Proctor,  and  his 
subalternsv  and  those  who  gloriously  fell  in  the^fe/rf, 
defending  the  only  free  government  on  earth,  that 
each  of  us  wear  black  crape  on  our  hats,  and  left 
arm,  for  the  space  of  ninety  days. 

Resolved,  That  a  similar  procedure,^  testifying 
their  respect  for  those  who  were  murdered  and  ifell 
on  that  day,  be  recommended  to  our  brother  officers 
and  soldiers,  who  survived  it. 

SAMUIL  WILLIAMS,  President. 
JoHH  Beckley,  Secreary," 

The  little  progress  hitherto  made  by  land,  a- 
gainst  the  enemy,  had  determined  the  congress 
and  the  general  ^vernment  on  adopting  a  more 
efficient  plan  of  warfare.  Several  new  appoint- 
ments of  officers  were  made;  and  Commodore 
Chauncey  was  ap|)ointed  to  the  command  of  the 
lake  navy. 

The  eommodore  arrived  at  Saekett*8  harbour 
in  ()etober»  1812.  His  great  exertions  enabled 
him  to  prepare  a  fleet  in  less  than  a  month,  with 
which  he  resolved  to  try  his  fortune  on  the  lake^ 
although  the  British  fleet  was  superior  in  number 
of  vessels,  guns,  and  men. 

I'he  commodore  sailed  from  Sackett's  harboui? 
on  liake  Ontario^  On  the  Sth  Nov.  fell  in  with 
and  chased  the  Royal  George,  until  he  lost  sight 
of  her  in  the  night :  on  the  following  day  reneWf 
ed  the  chase,  and  followed  her  into  Kingston  hap- 
Irour^  where  he  engaged  her  and  the  batteries,  for 


'"i'n.') 


m 


ff 


BI8T01IT  OF  TOE  WAS. 


I 


;  I 


nearly  ivfo  hours^— at  sun  down  he  haaled  ofiy 
being  obliged,  by  badneus  of  tbe  weather,  to  re- 
ttirn  to  Sackett's  Harbour. 

The  Constitution  frigate*  having  undergone 
€very  necessary  repair,  proceeded  from  Boston 
on  a  second  ci  uise,  in  October.  On  the  29th 
December,  1812,  in  south  lat.  iS.  6.  and  west  Ion. 
38.  ten  leat^ues  disti^nt  from  the  coast  of  Brazils, 
fell  in  wi(h,  and  captured  his  Britannic  Majesty's 
frigate  Java.  aft«T  an  acti(  n  of  1  hour  and  65 
miviutes.  The  Java  carried  ^y  guns,»nd  upwards 
of  400  men,  and  was  commanded  by  Captain  H. 
Lambert,,  a  brave  and  gallant  ofScer.  The  Java 
vas  so  perfect  a  wreck,  that  it  seemed  extremely 
doubtful  whether  she  could  be  brought  to  the 
United  States ;  she  was  therefore  burned  in  two 
days  after  being  captured. 

The  Java  had  been  lately  out  of  dock,  having 
undergone  a  thorough  repair  in  order  to  can  y 
out  Lieut.  Gen.  Hislop,  who  was  going  as  i  om- 
mandcr  in  chief  to  Bombay.  Besides  her  full 
complement  of  men,  the  Java  had  upwards  of 
100  supernumeraries,  going  to  British  ships  of 
war  In  the  East-Indies ;  also  several  officers,  pas- 
sengers, going  out  on  promotion,  I'he  number 
of  men  was  considerably  more  than  that  of  the 
Constitution.  By  her  quarter-bill,  she  had  one 
man  more  stationed  at  each  gun  than  the  Constitu- 
tion had.  The  loss  on  board  the  Constitution  was 
9  killed,  and  25  wounded.  Hie  enemy  had  60 
killed,  and  101  wounded  ;  but  by  a  letter  writ  ten 
on  board  the  Cohstitution,  by  one  of  the  officers 
of  the  Java,  and  a(^cidentally  found,  it  was  evi- 
dent that  the  enemv's  wounded  must  have  been 
considerably  greater ;  the  letter  states  60  kilh'd. 
and  170  wounded.  This  additional  number  of 
iRTounded  men  have  probably  died  before  they 


histout  ot  the  wah. 


7$ 


could  lie  removed.  Among  the  woundeil  on  board 
the  Constitution,  was  Captain  Bainbridge,  the 
commaAdor  :  captain  Lambert^  of  the  Java»  was 
wonnded  mortally. 

General  Ilislop  was  immediately  paroled  with 
the  efii'jers  ef  his  staff ;  and >  at  the  i*equest  of 
General  Hislop,  in  a  letter,  dated  St.  Salvador, 
Jan.  8,  1813,  all  the  officers  of  the  Java  were  in 
like  mannt^r  paroled — Commodore  Bainhi'idge  re- 
stoi'etl  all  the  private  property  of  Gen.  Ilislop, 
including  articles  of  plate,  to  a  large  amount. ,, 

The  eorpor;iti«n  of  the  city  of  New- York  pre- 
sented Commodore  Bainhridge,  with  the  free- 
-doin  of  th(*  city,  on  the  8th  Dec.  1818. 

The  following  resolution  was  passed  by  tho 
Senate  of  IVIassaehusetts,  the  19th  February: 

«  Resolved^  That  the  thanks  of  this  Senate  be  giv- 
en to  Commodore  William  Bainbridve,  and  the  o(ii- 
cers  and  crew  of  the  frigate  Constitution,  under  his 
comnaand,  for  their  brilliant  achievement  in  capturing 
and  destroying  his  Britannic  Majesty's  frigate  Java; 
and  that  the  commodore  be  requested  to  communi- 
cate the  same  to  hiti  officers  and  crew,  with  an  a^sur* 
jince  from  this  branch  of  the  legi^^lature,  that  they 
will  hold  in  grateful  remembrance,  those  who  fell  in 
fighting  for  the  essential  aud  violated  lights  of  their . 
country."  '        ,       / 

Aitiiough  it  is  a  fact  established,  beyond  the 
power  of  contradiction,  that  every  possible  induU 
gence  and  attention  were  exercised  toward  the 
crew  of  the  Java,  yet  were  some  of  her  offi(M  rs 
so  ungrateful  as  to  charge  the  Americans  with 
liaving  ill  used  the  vanquished  in  a  variety  of 
ways.  In  reply  to  a  publication  in  the  British 
Naval  Chronicle,  for  May,  1814,  by  Thomas  Cook 
Jones,  surgeon  ef  the  Java,  and  another  publiea- 
tien  in  the  same  paper,  for  Jone^  by  one  of  che 

o 


-.'(.I 


\ 


•;  f 


74* 


BI8T0BT   or  TUB   WAU, 


I 


lieutenants  of  the  J'>va,  charging  the  Americans 
ifVith  criielt^9  &.o.  Mr.  Amos  A.  Evans,  surgeon 
of  the  friguto  ConstUutiouy  publisiied  in  the  Bos- 
ton Chronicleya  complete  refutation  of  the  British 
slander,  concluding  wkli  the  following  words  : 

**  I  challenge  the  British  to  produce  a  solitary  tit' 
9tance^  where  they  have  given  a  faithful  and  candid 
relation  of  the  result  of  their  actions  with  us  since  the 
declaration  of  the  present  war.  They  have,  of  late, 
established  for  themselves  a  kind  of  national  charac- 
ter, that,  I  trust,  none  will  envy  them  the  possession 
of;  they  have>  proved,  that  although  they  may  not 
■always  be  able  to  conquer  in  battle,  they  can  preva- 
ricate, defame  or  niiistake,  with  as  much  ease  as  any 
nation  on  earth."  > 

Commodore  Bodgers  sailed  from  Boston  the 
8th  Oct.  1812^  on  his  second  cruise,  having  un- 
der bis  command  the  frigate  President,  the  Unit- 
ed States,  Captain  Decatur  ;  Congress,  Captain 
Smith ;  and  brig  Argus,  Captain  Sinclair.  The 
President  and  Congress  arrived  at  Boston  in  De- 
cember. During  their  cruise,  they  captured  the 
British  packet  Swallow,  with  168,000  dollars  on 
board,  and  British  ship  Argo,  laderi  with  oil 
and  whulebone,  both  of  which  arrived  some  time 
before.  They  saw  no  enemy's  cruizers  but  the 
Kymphe  and  Galatea,  which  they  chased,  hut 
lost  sight  of  in  the  night.  The  squadron  have 
been  as  far  east  as  long.  22,  ^nd  to  the  south  as 
far  as  lat.  17  N.  From  the  1st  to  the  30th  Kov. 
they  never  saw  a  sail.  On  the  22d  October,  ly- 
ing to  in  a  gale,  the  President  sprung  her  main- 
mast badly,  and  on  the  21st  Dec.  while  l^ing  to 
in  the  Gulph  Stream,  shipped  a  heavy  sea,  which 
swept  the  starboard  gangway,  start rd  the  boats, 
killed  2  men,  and  wounded  7.  The  President 
brought  iQ  50  prisoners. 


«f 


f   -.  ::." 


HI  STOUT    OV  TUE   WAB. 


f$ 


The  specie  was  landed  from  the  President)  at 
the  navy-^^ard  in  Charlcstown,  and  being  placed 
in  six  waggons^  each  carr^^iug  the  national  co- 
lours, was  thus  carritMl  to  the  state  bank  in  Bos- 
ton*  where  it  was  safely  deposited^  amidst  the 
huzzas  of  tiiousands  of  spectators. 

The  Commodore  parted  company  with  the 
United  Slates  and  Argus  tiie  12th  October. 

The  U.    S.  brig  Viper,  Capt   Henley,  of  12 
guns,  was  captured  on  the  17th  January,  1813, 
in  hit.  W^  N.  83, 30,  W.  by  his  Britannic  m^^jes- 
ty's  frigate  Narcissus,  of  32  guns,  after  a  chase 
of  b  hours. — No  fighting.  , 

Cummod</i'e  Bainbridgo  left  the  U.  S.  sloop 
of  war  Hornet,  Capt.  James  Lawrence,  off  the 
harbour  of  St.  Salvador,  where  she  remained 
from  the  6th,  until  tlie  24<th  January,  blockad- 
ing the  Bonne  Citoyenne,  and  another  armed 
vessel.  Being  at  length  driven  from  her  sta- 
tion by  the  Montague,  of  74  guns,  which  Waj| 
sent  to  relieve  the  Bonne  Citoyenne.  Captain 
Lawrence  proceeded  off  Demarara  river,  vhcre^ 
on  the  24th  February,  1813,  he  fell  in  with  and 
engaged  his  Britaimiie  majesty's  brig  of  war 
Peacock  :  the  action  lasted  but  15  minutes,  in 
which  short  space  of  time,  the  Peacock  wa9 
literally  cut  to  pieces  ;  an  ensign,  union  down^ 
was  hung  from  the  fore-rigging,  as  a  signal  at 
once  of  distress  and  surrender.  Lieut.  Shubi  ick^ 
who  was  sent  on  board  her,  returned  with  a  re- 
port that  she  w^s  fast  sinking,  having  then  six 
feet  of  water  in  her  hold.  The  boats  of  the 
Hornet  were  immediately  despatched,  and  every 
possible  exertion  made  to  keep  her  afloat  until 
tlie  prisoners  could  be  removed,  by  pumping  and 
bailing,  without  effect,  as  she  sunk  in  five  and  a 
half  fathoms  water,  carrying  down  nine  of  her 


ill 


iff  ■^^if. 


■\<.\ 


iil 


■'■£* 


f9 


BISTORT  OF  THE- WAR. 


I 


•rewt  and  three  of  ilie  crew  of  the  Hornet,  vij^ 
John  llarU  Joseph  Williams*  and  Hannibal 
Boyd.  Several  of  the  Hornet's  crew  narrowly 
escaped  a  siuitlar  fate*  being  saved  by  jumping, 
into  a  boat  that  was  !ying  on  the  Looms*  as  she 
went  down. 

The  Peucock  was  one  of  the  finest  vessels  of 
her  class  in  the  British  navy ;  she  mounted  16 
lwen(y-four  pound  carronades*  two  long  nines, 
one  twelve  pound  earronade  on  her  top-gallant 
forecastle*  as  a  shifting  gun*  and  one  four  or  six 
pounder,  and  two  swivels  mounted  aft^  her 
erew  con>«i8ted*  at  the  time  of  the  action,  oi  one 
liundred  and  thirty  men. 

The  loss  on  board  the  Peacock  could  not  be 
ascertained  by  Capt.  Lawrence,  but  must  have 
been  considerable.  Capt.  Peake,  her  command^ 
er*  and  four  men  were  found  dead  on  board, 
and  33  wounded*  most  of  them  severely,  three 
of  which  died  of  their  wounds,  after  being  re- 
jnoved.  The  total  of  killed,  wounded  and  drown- 
ed* was  certainly  42,  and  probably  more. 

The  Espelgle,  a  British  brig,  mounting  10 
thirty-two  pound  carronades*  and  2  long  nine's 
lay  about  6  miles  in  shore*  and  within  sight  of 
the  action :  slie  declined  coming  in  aid  of  her 
consort*  or  to  approach  the  victorious  ship  aU 
though  Capt.  Lawrence  cleared  his  ship,  in  ex- 
pectation of  a  second  engagement. 

Captain  Lawrence  stated*  that  their  were 
two  impressed  American  seamen  on  board  the 
late  British  sloop  of  war  Peacock*  one  a  native 
of  the  state  of  New- York,  and  the  other  a  na- 
tive of  Norfolk.  One  of  them  Tvas  pressed  two 
years  and  a  half,  and  the  other  about  18  months 
previous,  neither  of  them  entered,  and  both  were 
compelled  to  fight  during  the  engagement  with 
the  Hornet. 


.:/. 


niSTORY  OF  THE   WAR. 


V 


Before  the  engagement  oommenccd,  the  ahove 
mentioned  Ameriean  seamen  left  tbeir  station* 
went  to  tlie  Captain  of  the  Peaco('k,  and  asked 
Ills  pel-mission  to  go  helow,  with  the  crew  of  tho 
bi'ig  Hunter,  of  Portland,  as  tlie^r  could  not  fight 
against  their  country.  This  request  was  per- 
emptorily refused  hy  Capt.  Peake,  and  the  two 
Americans  were  forced  to  their  station,  and  com- 
pelled to  fight. 

Capt.  Lawrence  further  stated,  that  another 
impressed  American  was  reported  to  have  been 
on  board  the  Peacouk,  and  that  he  was  killed 
during  the  action. 

Tlie  reader  should  not  be  carried  away  witi 
the  belief,  that  ihe  commander  of  the  Espeigle 
was  a  coward.  That  may  possibly  have  been 
the  ease,  but  it  is  far  from  being  probable. — 
Those  who  wish  to  allow  to  Ameriean  naval  he- 
roes their  well  earned  honours,  will  be  readier  ta 
ascribe  (he  modesty  of  the  Englishmen  to  the 
effect  of  American  prowess,  than  to  BritisU 
cowardice.  Prudence  is  a  virtue  which  often 
requires  courage  to  exercise.  Had  the  com* 
nv.mder  of  the  Espeigle  encountered  the  victo- 
rious American  he  would  be  defeated.  He  pro- 
?)ably  believed  so  ^  and,  believing  it,  he  acted 
\yitU  prudence. 

The  following  comment  on  the  capture  of  the 
Peacock,  is  extracted  from  the  Londoi^  Globe. 

«  The  late  captain  of  the  Swallow  packet,  capturedf 
by  the  Americans,  landed  on  Monday  at  Falmouth^, 
from  on  board  the  Childers  sloop  of  war.  He  con* 
firms  the  loss  of  the  Peacock,  which  struck  to  the 
Hornet,  after  a  severe  and  sanguinary  conilict,  and 
went  down  while  the  enemy  were  takh)g  out  her 
erew.  Sixteen  English  and  four  Americans  went 
^wn  in  her.     The  force  of  the  two  vessels.  w|t»; 


1 1.1  '• 


m 


'^■'  'm 


78 


BISTORT   OF  THE   WaS. 


Bcavljr  equal.  The  circumstances,  thcretore,  wblclt 
have  enabled  Americans  thus  to  add  another  laurel  lu 
her  brow,  it  is  most  important  to  know,  and  we  trust 
they  will  be  fully  inquired  into.  In  the  cases  ot 
capture  by  large  American  frigates,  the  mercenary 
writers  for  the  Admiralty  have  assured  their  read* 
ers  that  they  have,  by  some  charm,  been  able  to  pruc* 
tice  R  dece/itio  vitua  upon  our  navy  ;  that  although 
»;.parently  frigates,  they  are  in  fact  threat  ships  of 
the  line  ;  but  us  no  ditiparity  of  size  u  bupposed  to 
have  existed  in  this  disaster,  Mr.  Crocker*s  scribes 
will  probably  give  out,  that  the  crew  of  the  Hornet 
were  not  of  the  ordinary  race  of  sailors,  but  that  cv« 
^ry  one  was  a  Hercules  in  strength,  and  an  Archi^ 
luedes  in  science." 

The  (bUowing  appeared  in  a  Tf alifnx  paper. 

'<(  In  our  extracts  from  American  papers,  our  reiid* 
ors  will  find  an  account  of  the  capture  of  the  Pea* 
cock.  The  good  fortune  of  the  Amrricans  has  net 
forsaken  them  ;  on  the  contrary,  it  is  more  conftpl. 
cuous  in  this  than  in  their  previous  actions.  Evvr^ 
one  conversant  with  gunnery  muat  knoWf  that  had  a 
-oeaael  been  jAOOtLrn  for  the  aole  fiurfioae  qf  making 
an  EXPERiMRNT,  2/  ia  not  at  all  likely  ahe  would  have 
betn  SUNK  in  ao  ahort  a  time. 

Previous  to  the  action  ^vith  the  Peacock, 
Capt.  I/iiwrcnre  captured,  on  the  4th  Feb  the 
£n{;liHh  brig  ResoVutioir^  of  10  euns.  from  liio 
Jant'iroy  bound  to  Maranbani)  WTiieb  he  burneif, 
after  taking  from  her  about  23,0001.  Hterling,  lo 
specie.  On  mustering  the  morning  after  the 
action*  there  yrnve  found  on  board  the  Hornet 
;277  souI»,  in*'luding  the  crew  of  the  AiricricttQ 
brig  Flunter,  of  Porttand,  taken  a  few  days  be* 
lore  bv  the  Peacock.  Thk  additional  proof  of  | 
Ibe  siiperiorit^  of  American  taefics  has  not 
1)een  esceet^ed  hy  any  former  instanee.  It  may 
Indeed  be  said  to  haY«  decided  Ute  relatiYe  nc^  I 


UltTORT  Of  THE   WAR, 


70 


\i%  of  American  and  Bri(i§h  seamen,  the  suMn 
I'iorify  claimed  by  (lie  Britiitli  is  no  longer  mam-, 
talnalile— the  Americans  ranl&  decidedly  as  first 
JD  naval  tactics. 

Capt.  Lawrenee,  while  off  St.  Salvador,  sent 
a  eliallenge  to  Capt.  Greene,  of  the  Bonne  Cito- 
yenne,  which  the  latter  prudently  declined  ac- 
cepting. 

The  following  resolutions  passed  the  Common 
Council  of  the  city  of  New-York»  on  the  29th 
March,  1813. 


n 


Reaolvedi  That  the  freedom  of  the  city  be  pre- 
sented to  Captain  LavvrkncB)  to«{ether  with  a  piece 
of  plate  with  appropriate  devices  and  inscriptionsi 
and  that  his  honour  the  Recorder  be  requested  t« 
forward  the  same,  with  a  copy  of  thitt  resolution. 

<»  Reaolvedy  That  in  testimony  of  (he  high  sense 
which  this  Common  Council  entertain  of  the  con- 
duct of  the  crew  of  the  United  States*  sloop  of  war 
Hornet)  by  the  capture  of  his  Britannic  Majesty's 
sloop  of  war  Peacock,  in  the  unexampled  short  pe- 
riod of  fifteen  minutes,  that  the  Common  Council 
will  give  a  public  dinner  to  the  crew  of  the  United 
States'  sloop  of  war  Hornet." 

l^hese  many  and  splendid  naval  victories  de- 
served not  only  the  applause,  but  the  gratitude 
of  the  nation.  Congress  was  not  insensible  to 
this.  A  law  passed  that  body  in  March,  1813* 
appropriating  the  sum  of  $(25,000,  to  be  distri- 
buted among  the  officers  and  crew  of  the  Con- 
stitution, for  the  destruction  of  the  Guerriere  ^ 
and  a  like  sum  of  S2d,000,  for  the  destruction  of 
the  Java ;  and  the  sum  of  025.000,  to  be  distri- 
buted among  the  officers  and  crew  of  the  Wasp^ 
for  the  capture  of  the  Frolic. 

The  United  States'  frigate  Chesapeake,  Capt* 
fiYansjt  arrived  at  Boston  the  iOth  Aprils  iSiS;^ 


"^''I 


!i 


( 


It 
1 


sd 


BISTOKY  •?  THE  WAR. 


from  a  cruise  of  115  days*  having  sailed  from 
the  same  port  the  17th  Uecemherr  1812. 

From  Boston  the  Chesuiieuke  ran  down  hy 
the  Madeiras,  Canaries,  and  Cape  de  Yerds ; 
thence  down  on  the  equntor,  hetwcen  long.  16 
and  25,  where  she  cruised  6  weeks;  tlienee 
down  the  coast  of  South  America*  passing  with- 
in Id  leagues  of  Surrinam«  (was  in  the  same 
place  tlie  Hornet  sunk  the-  Peacock  the  day  af. 
ter  she  left,)  down  by  Rarbadoes,  Antigua,  and 
most  of  the  windward  West-India  islan'^s;  thence 
on  the  United  States,  between  Bermir  .a  and  the 
Capes  of  Virginia,  by  the  Cape!>  of  Delaware, 
within  12  leagues,  by  ^ew-York,  wiUiin  20 
leagues,  thence  through  the  east  channel  to 
Boston.  1 

The  Chesapeake  captured,  during  her  cruise, 
3  British,  and  1  American  vessel,  sailing  under 
a  British  licence ;  and  re-captured  an  Ameri- 
can schooner.  The  Chesapeake  was  chased  by 
two  ships  of  war,  (a  74  and  a  frigate)  off  the 
Western  Islands.  OflT  the  Capes  of  Virginia, 
gave  chase  to  a  sloop  oC  war,  and  continued 
chasing  for  2  days,  when  the  sloop  escaped  in 
the  night.  Seven  men  died  of  a  malignant  fe- 
ver ;  and  3  were  lo^t  by  the  carrying  away  of 
the  main-top  mast,  during  a  heavy  flaw,  the  day 
before  her  arrival  in  port. 

General  Harrison  was  at  Fort  Meigs  the  20th 
April,  1813,  and  gave  directions  to  prepare  to 
defend  the  place  against  an  attack,  which  be  »p. 
prehended,  from  the  movements  of  the  enemy. 
Fortifications  were  accordingly  carried  on  with 
great  diligence,  and  every  means  usid  to  animate 
the  men  to  defend  the  post.  On  the  20th  and 
27th,  the  reconnoitering  parties  of  the  enemy 
appeared  on  the  opposite  shore;  hut  soon  retlrad. 


BISTORT  OV  THB  1VAII. 


SI 


The  Indians  were  sent  across  the  river  during 
the  night  of  the  28th,  and  was  placed  so  as  to 
surround  the  garrison.  The  siege  commenced 
in  form)  on  the  ^sih,  and  firing  was  kept  up  dur- 
ing this  and  the  following  day,  by  the  enemyy 
whose  works  were  considerably  impeded  and  in- 
jured by  the  firing  from  the  fort.  By  the  1st  or 
May,  the  Horks  of  the  fort  were  so  far  complet- 
ed, as  to  enable  the  besieged  to  give  the  enemy  a 
veiy  warm  reception,  silencing  one  of  their  guns 
several  times.  During  the  2d  and  Sd,  the  firo 
on  both  sides  continued  very  brisk. 

On  the  4th,  General  Clay  reached  Fort  "Win- 
•hester,  with  upwards  of  100  men,  for  the  relief 
of  the  American  garrison.  Ob  the  Fth,  a  part 
of  General  Clay's  men  arrived,  and  instructions 
were  sent  to  him  by  General  Harrison,  directing 
him  how  to  act  in  his  advance  towards  the  fort. 

Great  zeal,  and  undaunted  courage^  are  true 
•haracteristics  of  the  American  soldiers;  to 
these  qualities  the  Kentuckian  adds  a  wonderful 
contempt  of  daneer.  On  this  occasion,  the  ene- 
my received  much  benefit  from  that  cool  caution 
which  enabled  him  to  draw  the  uncalculating ' 
soldier  into  defiles,  and  within  the  reach  of  his 
ambuscade.  Col.  Dudley,  v/ho  was  charged  with 
despatches  for  Gen.  Clay,  received  the  command 
of  a  detachment  of  Clay's  men,  landed  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river,  with  a  view  to  attack 
the  encmy'^  batteries ;  he  behaved  with  great 
courage,  but  pursued  the  enemy  until  he  was 
drawn  into  an  ambush,  where  the  greater  num- 
ber of  his  men  were  destroyed  by  numbers  vastly 
superior  ;  many  of  those  who  surrendered,  were 
afterwards  tomahawked  and  scalped  by  the  sav- 
ages. Col.  Dudley  was  among  the  killed.  Gen. 
Ciay>  who  continued  in  commaud  of  the  remain- 


I.-.:! 


^,^ 


-,  \ 


82 


■ISTORY    OT  THE   WAR. 


der  of  his  detachment,  having  landed  neap  (he 
fort,  permitted  the  men  <o  pursue  the  enemy  in. 
to  the  woods,  and  was  saved  from  a  fate  siniiiar 
to  that  of  the  heroic  and  unfortunate  Dudley,  b) 
the  prudence  and  foresight  of*  Gen.  Harrison,  I 
who  sent  out  a  party  to  support  Clay,  and  defend 
his  retreat.  The  Indians  took  advantage  of  the 
opportunity  this  afforded  them,  to  attack  tb« 
boats,  which  Gen.  Clay  left  unguarded  ;  the  sick  j 
men  in  the  hoats  were  butchered,  and  the  bag* 
gage  carried  off. 

The  bravery  of  the  American  troops  during  I 
these  conflicts,  were  remarkably  brilliant.     Fre- 
quent charges   were  made,  under  direction  of 
Col.iVliller,  Major  Alexander,  Captains  Croghan,  [ 
Neving,  Bendford,  and  Longham.     Every  b|at 
tery  on  the  American  side  of  the  river  were  sue*  I 
cessfully  carried. 

The  enemy,  after  this,  thought  only  of  retreat- 
ing.  which  he  effected  in  great  hurry  on  the  9th.  I 
An  exchange  of  prisoners  was  previously  eflfected. 

The  American  loss,  during  1.^  days  the  enemy 
were  before  the  fort,  amounted  to  81  killed,  and 
180  wounded,  exclusive  of  the  loss  of  Dudle,\'s 
detachment,  vbich  exceeded  200  in  killed  audi 
missing. 

The  enemy's  loss  must  have  been  much  great- 
erjt  as  his  number  of  men  far  exceeded  that  of  I 
the  Americans.     The  enemy  was  frequently  de- 
feated by  deta^^hments  not  more  than  a  third  of| 
hU  number. 

Col.  Miller,  with  S50  men.  made  asallie,  inl 
which  he  defeated  the  enemy,  consisting  of  200 
regulars,  150  militia,  and  500  Indians.     Captain  | 
Sebre's  compuny  of  K<intu?*ky  militia,  maintain- 
ed its  ground  against  four  times  its  number,  un- 
til rescued  from  unavoidable  destruction^  by  the  I 


BISTORT  •¥  TnS  WAB. 


88 


b^  the  I 


bravery  of  Lieut.  Gwynno,  of  the  19th  regiment^ 
and  a  part  of  Capt.  Elliot's  company. 

From  the  best  account,  the  besiegers  consisted 
jof  560  regulars,  800  militia,  and  more  than  2000 
lladians. 

On  the  25th  April,  1813,  Commodore  Chaun- 
[>py  sailed  from  Hackett*s  Harbour,  having  on 
tbuiird  his  fleet  about  1700  troops,  destined  to 
Icoinmenee  operations  against  Canada.  Hiey 
•lived  opposite  Little  York,  the  capital  of  Up- 
per Canada,  on  tlic  morning  of  the  27th  April, 
iiid  immediately  commenced  (he  landing  of  the 
trojps,  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy. — 
Lf((T  a  very  severe  and  sharp  contest  of  half 
in  lioui',  the  enemy  was  repulsed  by  a  number 
far  iiifrrior  to  theirs.  As  soon  as  the  remain- 
]er  of  the  troops  had  lauded,  the  enemy  retired 
to  his  works.  One  battery  being  carried,  the 
{troops  were  advancing  towards  the  main  works, 
then  a  tremendous  explosion  took  place  from 
magazine  previously  prepared,  and  which 
|lit'«\v  out  an  immense  quantity  of  stones,  by 
kvliic'h  the  Americans  lost  in  killed  and  uoiind^ 
m,  about  200  men  ;  among  the  killed,  the  gallant 
ii'igadier- General  Pike.  The  British  regular 
[I'wops  having  retreated,  the  comnranding  olHcc? 
W  the  militia  agreed  to  terms  of  capitulation, 
pd  the  capital  of  Upper  Canada  was  surrender- 
fed  to  the  American  troops.  The  American 
loss  in  killed  and  wounded,  was  2H9.  The 
knemy's  loss  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners, 
^30. 

As  an  evidence  of  the  barbarity  of  the  enemy, 
jhe  following  despatch  from  Conuuodnre  Chaun- 
Yy  lo  I  he  Secretary  of  the  Nav>,  is  given  : 
Sir,^ — I  have  the  honour  to  present  to  you  by  the 
ids  of  Lieut.  Dudley,  the  British  standard,  tuken 


'■U.u 


:,^' 


kl: 


d4 


BISTOBT  or  THE  WAB. 


at  York  on  the  the  27th  of  April  last,  accompanied  by 
the  mace,  over  ivhich  n^as  hung  a  human  scalfi.^ 
These  articles  were  taken  from  the  parliament  house 
by  one  of  my  officers,  and  presented  to  me.  The 
scalp  i  caused  to  be  presented  to  General  Dearborn, 
\ir!io,  I  believe,  still  has  it  in  his  possession.  I  also 
send,  by  the  same  gentleman,  one  of  the  British  flags 
taken  at  Fort  George  on  the  27th  of  May.  1  have 
the  honour  to  be,  vtry  respectiully.  Sir,  your  most 
obedient  humble  servant, 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY. 

The  riflf^men,  under  Major  Forsyth,  first  land- 
«d«  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy.;  General 
Pike,  to  whom  tlie  immediate  eommand  of  the 
troops  was  entrusted,  landed  as  promptly  as  pos- 
sible after^  the  remaining  troops  soon  followed. 
The  contest)  on  tbe  first  landing  of  the  troo|is, 
was  sharp  and  severe ;  the  enemy  deriving  much 
advantage  from  tbe  circumstance  that  Miij.  For. 
syth  was  driven  by  adverse  wind  from  the  des* 
lined  point  of  landing.  As  soon  as  Gen.  Pike 
landed,  he  ordered  his  meii  to  advance  up  the 
bank,  which  they  resolutely  performed  in  face  of 
a  warm  discharge  of  musquetry.  The  moment 
Pike  reached  the  top,  and  was  about  ordering  a 
charge,  the  enemy  hastily  retreated.  General 
Dearborn  went  ashore  as  soon  as  he  learned  that 
General  Pike  was  wounded.  The  town  capitu- 
lated to  Col.  Pierce,  of  the  16th  infantry,  on 
vhora  the  command  devolved  after  General  Pike 
was  disabled.  General  Sheafie  commanded  the 
British. 

On  the  22d  May,  1813,  Commodore  Chauncey 
sailed  from  Sackett's  Harbour,  having  3.^0  men 
of  Col.  M'Comb*3  regiment  en  board,  and  arriv- 
ed near  Niagara  on  the  'ihih  ;  the  other  p^rts  of 
Ills  squadron  bad  arrived  before^  and  landed  their 


'i'\ 


aiSTOKT  OT  THE  WAX. 


8S 


treops.    The  oommodore  had  an  immediate  in- 
terview with  Gen.  Dearborn*  and  a  plan  of  ope- 
rations aguinst  the  enemy  was  agreed  on    On 
the  26th  the  eommodore  reconnoitered  the  posi- 
tion for  landing  the  troops ;  and,  at  night,  sound- 
ed the  shore,     rhe  morning  of  the  ■iJtht  was 
Axed  on  for  an  attack  oa  the  enemy  at   Fort 
George.  The  heavy  artillery^  and  as  many  troops 
ai  couid  be  stowed,  Were  taken  an  board  the 
fleet,  the  remainder  were  ordered  ta  embark  on 
board  boats,  and  follow  the  fleet.     At  S  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  a  signal  was  made  for  the  fleet 
to  weigh,  and  the  troops  were  embarked  on  board 
the  boats  before  4 ;  and  soon  after  Generals 
Dearborn  aod  Lewis  went  onboard  the  fleet.     In 
the  course  of  the  morning  the  different  vessels 
advanced,  and  took  positions  as  directed.    All 
the  vessels   anchored  within  mnsket  shot  of  the 
Canada  shore;  and  in  ten  minutes  after  they  o- 
pened  upon  the  batteries,  they   were  completely 
silenced  and  abandoned.     The  light  troops,  un- 
der Col.  Scott  and   Maj.  Forsyth,  landed  at  9 
o'clock  ;  Gen.  Lewis's  divisions  with  light  artil- 
lery, under  Col.  Porter,  supported  them*    Gen.  ^ 
Boyd's  brigade   landed  immediately    after  the 
light  trooi>s;  and  Genrrals  Winder  and  Chand- 
ler followed  in  quick  succession.'   The  moment 
had  arrived  which  must  put  the  courage,  skilU 
and  patriotism  of  the  soldier  and  the  citizen  to 
the  most  trying  test.    Every  apparent  advantage   ^ 
was  on  the  side  of  the  enemy.    The  British  com- 
mander expected  the  attack,  and  he  was  pre- 
pared lo  resist  it ;  it  was  broad  day  light  before 
a  landing  eould  hie  <^^::oted,  which  eircumstaned 
gave  to  the  enemy  sufficient  time  to  ascertain 
the  point  of  attack,  and  to  collect  and  arrange 
his  whole  force  5  a  ravine  and  wood  concealed 


if. 


I  *  » 


rp!:'l 


i 


i) 


V        1? 


<i£, 


«t 


(i 


■I 


Hi 


111 


i ' 


i 


s« 


■IITORT  OV  THE  mrAlU 


liiB  force;  his  position  was  naturally  strong,  be- 
ing the  brow  of  a  high  bank,  so  steep  that  the 
artillery,  which  landed  with  Boyd^s  brigade,  with 
the  utmost  exertions  ot  the  men^  could  not  be 
brought  into  the  action  till  some  time  after  the 
enemy  bad  broke  and  fled ;  the  enemy's  force 
exceeded  2000  regulars,  and,  including  militia 
and  Indians,  amounted  to  at  least  2500  men.  His 
regulars  were  veterans  of  tried  courage,  great 
experience,  and  long  service  ;  his  militia  were 
trained  and  disciplined,  his  savages  wrought  into 
the  most  phrenzied  animosity  against  the  Amt- 
ricans.  Against  this  host,  the  Ameriians  could 
bring  only  1800  men,  raw  recruits,  almost  stran- 
gers to  discipline,  not  innured  to  danger,  and  f^^w 
<»f  whom  had  ever  seen  a  battle.  Such  was  the 
disparity,  such  the  danger  to  be  encountered,  an^ 
such  the  enemy  to  bo  vaitquished.  The  Amerl- 
ean  boats  being  too  few  m  number,  w  ere  crowded 
^ith  men ;  on  their  approaching  the  shore  a  most 
tremendous  fire  was  opened  on  them.  The  lake 
vas  covered  with  foam*  and  the  bank  was  en- 
Tcloped  in  a  continued  blaze.  Fortunately  the 
•aim  of  the  enemy  was  not  so  accurate  as  his  fire 
^as  rapid.  IVo  sooiier  had  the  light  troops  under 
Col.  Scott  landed,  than,  under  their  gallant  lea- 
der, they  attempted  to  gain  the  bank.  Thrice 
"with  the  most  persevering  courage  was  the  at- 
tempt made,  and  thrice  were  they  repelled  by  an 
enemy  more  than  five  times  their  number.  Boyd 
with  the  first  brigade,  had  by  this  time  landed, 
about  five  min»i*  :^8  a  uev  Scott.  The  troops  were 
immediately  formed  in  platonns  and  companies, 
and  rushed  up  the  bank.  Boyd  was  the  first  to 
gain  the  summit,  and  for  a  moment  was  alone  ex- 
posed to  the  enemies  fire.  His  distance  from  the 
Bri|jsh  lines  was  not  more  than  eight  or  ten 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WiBt 


#• 


yards  at  furitiestf  when  every  bayonet  was  in« 
9tant1y  directed  towards  him.  But  the  trocp» 
had  0aught  too  large  a  portion  of  the  spirit  of 
their  chiefy  to  leave  him  long  in  this  perilous' 
situation.  He  was  quickly  surrounded  by  hi» 
brave  companions,  and  our  line  was  soon  formed 
at  a  distance,  varying  from  five  to  ten  yards  front 
that'of  the  enemy.  It  was  not  till  this  time  that 
the  battle  could  be  said  to  have  fairly  commenc- 
ed. The  patient  courage  of  onr  raw  reoruitar 
had  been  most  severely  tried,  in  approaching  thd' 
shore,  amidst  showers  of  bullets,  in  receivings 
with  unshrinking  firmness,  a  tremendous  and  de- 
struetive  fire,  which  they  could  not  return* 
Their  intrepidity  was  now  to  be  proved  in  tho 
face  of  superior  numbers  of  veterans^  strength- 
ened by  a  considerable  irregular  foroe  of  militia 
and  Indians.  The  fire  of  our  men  was  rapid  and 
exact,  to  a  degree  seldom  surpassed ;  but  the  su- 
periority of  the  foe  enabled  him  to  maintain  his 
ground  ajliout  fifteen  minutes,  llie  victory  wa» 
yet  doubtfuh  when  the  men  heard  the  voice  of 
fhe'r  chief  exelaiming  the  enemy  fly.  The  efi^ct 
of  this  cheering  sound  in  our  rauKs  was  decisive^ 
It  producd  an  instantaneous  movement  of  ouI^ 
whole  line.  And  the  enemy  before  crossing  bay- 
onets, broke  and  fled  with  the  utmost  precipita- 
tion, leaving  upwards  of  one  hundred  dead  on  the 
field  of  battle,  two  hundred  wounded,  and  onQ 
hundred  prisoners.  The  victory  was  complete. 
Boyd's  brigade,  and  Scott's  light  troops,  who 
alone  were  in  the  battle,  pursued  the  enemy  t<y 
Queenstown.  If  any  thing  could  enhance  the 
value  of  the  victory,  it  was  the  fact  of  its  bein^' 
purchased  at  so  trifling  a  loss 

The  enemy  lost  108  killed.  163  wounded,  and^ 
113  taken  prisoners.    The  Americans  lost  59 


li 


Ti-a 


I"  u 


!■ 


•# 


BISTORT   OF  THB  WAS. 


^ 


ir, 


billed,  and  111  wounded.    In  the  enemj'i  loii^ 
i07  militia,  'v^ho  ivere  parolIed>  are  not  im*luded. 

The  merits  of  this  battle,  so  far  as  they  apper* 
tained  to  the  commander»  belonged  to  General 
Boyd.  He  commanded  during  the  whole  oV  the 
a<'tion»  the  division  under  General  M'inder  not 
being  able  to  reach  the  scene  of  aetion  until 
after  the  enemy  had  fled. 

Prior  to  the  taking  of  Fort  Georgey  three  A- 
merieans  in  the  camp)  who  refused  to  bear  arm«» 
were»  by  order  of  Col.  Glark,  taken  out,  and 
without  ceremony  shot !  I'his  infernal  soound- 
drel  met  with  his  deserts  aoon  after—he  was  kil« 
led  at  the  time  of  the  surprise  of  Generals  M  in« 
der  and  Chandler. 

A  fire  was  kept  up  at  intervals,  during  th0 
succeeding  night,  from  the  batteries  at  Fort  Brie. 
On  the  morning  of  the  28th,  aU  the  magazines 
from  Chippawa  to  point  Albino  were  blown  up, 
the  enemy  retreated ;  and  Fort  Erie,  was  eotered 
in  the  afternoon  by  the  American  troops. 

In  these  different  transactions^  Commodore 
Chi^uncey  bore  a  spirited  and  useful  part.  The 
loss  on  board  his  ^eet  coMJfted  of  6  killed^  and 
11  woiwded. 

Capt.  Perry,  afterwards  known  as  ^he  hero  of 
£rie,  volunteered  his  services  on  this  occasion^ 
and  materially  aided  in  securing  success.  **  He 
was,  according  to  Com.  Chauncey's  report,  <«  pre- 
sent at  every  point  where  he  could  be  useful,  un- 
der showers  of  musketry,  but  fortunately  escaped 
nnhurt.'' 

The  enemy,  probaMy  rnih  a  wish  to  perform 
some  exploit  that  might  ballanee  his  losses  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Niagara,  prepared  with  a  strong 
force,  to  attack  tbe  American  post  at  Sackett's 
Harbour.    On  the  28th  May  the  enemy's  fleet 


HIITOBT  OV  taZ  Wll« 


SB 


appeared,  accompanied  by  a  large  namber  ot* 
boats.  Lieut.  Cbaunoey,  of  the  navy,  came  in 
ftt>m  the  lake,  firing  alarm  guns.  Gen.  Jacob 
Br^wn*  who  commanded  the  fort,  made  every 
possible  disposition  to  repel  the  menaced  attack. 
On  the  morning  of  the  tdth,  SS  large  boats,  filled 
with  (roops,  came  off  from  the  enemy,  and  pro* 
eeeded  to  Garden  Island,  under  cover  of  somo 
gun-boats.  The  militia,  stationed  near  ^hero 
the  enemy  proposed  to  land,  fired  with  consider- 
able effect,  and  then  fled  from  their  post.  The 
enemy  effected  a  landing  with  about  1200  men 
at  Horse  Island.  A  detachment  of  miliiia»  un- 
der command  of  Capt.  M<Nitt«  threw  themselves^ 
with  considerable  effect,  on  the  rear  of  the  etie- 
my's  left  flank,  while  the  regulars,  unfler  Col. 
Backus,  engaged  and  routed  him.  Genr.'  Prevost 
who  commanded  the Afitish«x|Miditi5>fi,  retreated 
with  great  preoipitatien,  under  protection  of  the 
guns  of  his  vessels  f  and  thus  saved  himself  and 
men  from  being  made  prisoners.  Accoi*ding  to 
a  previous  arrangement,  it  was  agreed,  that,  in 
a  certain  event,  the  stores,  &c.  at  the  navy- 
point,  should  be  destroyed.  This  event  did  not 
happen ;  but  some  person,  unauthorised,  brought 
informeition  to>  Lieut.  Chauneey,  that  the  battlo: 
was  lost — the  stores*  accordingly,  were  de- 
«troyed. 

Gen.  Jacob  Brown,  of  the  state  of  New- York 
who  commanded  the  land  forces  at  Sackett's> 
Harbour,  gave  a  substantial  proof  of  those  mili- 
tary talents,  which,  in  all  his  subsequent  opera- 
tions, were  so  conspicuously  useful  to  his  coun- 
try, and  so  uniformly  honourable  to  himself,  that 
even  envy  never  dared  lisp  an  insinuation  dis- 
creditable or  dishonourable  to  the  general.  Sir- 
James  Lucua  Yeo  commanded  the  British  fleet*. 


t  r, 


^> 


.1  ]" 


If 


('.'>ii 


'  •  'I 


Ill* 


9» 


msTOBT  07  Tni  WAV. 


pf 


Tlio  enemv's  loss  was  very  considerable,  tnoind*. 
ing  several  officers  of  distinction.  The  Ameri- 
eans  lont  about  1 50  in  killed  and  wounded  ^  €oK 
Blills  was  killed,  and  Col.  Backus  moriHliy 
wounded.  About  400  regular  troops  sustained 
the  heut  of  the  action. 

At  the  close  of  the  action^  a  British  barge^ 
with  aiiuva]  lieutenant,  under  a  flag  of  truce, 
eame  ic  tlie  bank  of  the  river,  and  demanded  of 
an  ofi^ci  r  who  was  standing  there,  in  the  name 
of  the  geitieral  and  commodore*  the  surrender  of 
Sat'kcti'b  Harbour.  The  officer  replied  «  No/' 
and  the  flag  returned, 

Tlie  pride  and  presumed  authority  of  Britain 
on  her  owU'  domaifit  the  ocean,  was  materially 
tarnished.  *  The  laurels  plucked  from  Frai;ce,i 
Spain,  Portugal,  and  Holland,  were  withering, 
and  seemed  to  be  transferred  to  adorn  the  brows 
of  the  hitherto  despised  commanders  of  the  Lij- 
liputian  fleet  of  America.  It  was  resolved,  by 
the  enemjv  eo  retrieve  lost  honour.  An  expe- 
(lit Sit.  was  resorted  to  which  was  successful,  so 
far  as  ihe  capturing  of  a  ship,  yet  an  aslonished 
and  admii  iitg  world  remained  unaltered  in  the 
opinion,  that  the  superiority  of  Ameriean  tars 
was  not  lei?s*'ned  by  the  event,  nor  the  fading 
lustre  of  British  invincibility,  in  any  ^manner 
retrieved. 

For  some  time  before  the  flrst  of  June,  the 
British  frigates  'I'enedos,  Bellepole,  and  Shan- 
non^ were  off  the  harbour  of  Boston,  where  the 
Chesapeake  lay.  The  Tenedos  ?.nd  Bcllcpoule, 
liaving  put  a  part  of  their  crew  oti  bourd  the 
Shannon,  procee<1ed  to  sea.  The  Shunnon  (the 
Wit  frigate  In  the  British  navy,)  appeBn>d  alone 
•ffthe  harbour,  on  wMeh  the  Chcsa  ttike  got 
«id»f  V€]gb^  9X  jiu»nditt%  on  lot  ilunc^  ulid 


BISTOBT  OT  THE  WAB. 


minutes  before  6,  an  action  oommenced,  witliin 
pistol  shot*  and  in  a  few  minutes,  tlie  vesselt 
closed ;  the  arm  chest  of  the  Chesapeake  vat 
blown  up  by  a  hand  grenade^  thrown  from  tho 
enemy's  ship,  and  immediatelT  after,  the  6he8« 
apeake  was  carried  by  boarding,  and  the  pri« 
vate  signals  of  the  navy  of  the  United  States  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

The  enemy  boasted  not  of  this  yictory,  it  co  ^ 
him  too  dear,  and  was  an  indisputable  pro<' '  '«f 
Ameriean  bravery.  Never  was  there  such  .> 
aage  between  two  ships,  in  so  short  a  time 
The  loss  on  board  the  Shannon  oannot  be  v  xaci- 
]y  ascertained;  the  loss  on  board  the  Chesa- 
peake, was  48  killed,  and  06  wounded.  Total 
killed  and  wounded,  144. 

Every  officer,  upon  wbom  the  command  of 
the  ship  would  devolve,  was  either  killed  or 
>vounded  previously  to  the  capture  of  the  ves- 
sel. The  brave  Capt.  Lawrence  was  mortally 
wounded. 

On  the  authority  of  Capt.  John  Upton,  com- 
mander of  the  privateer  Cossack,  of  Salem,  th« 
following  ciixiumstances  were  published  in  an 
eastern  paper: 

<t  /Vfter  the  enemy  had  complete  possession  of  the- 
ship,  and  the  men  were  ordered  from  the  tops.  Mr. 
BeiTjTf  a  midshipman,  who  commanded  the  mizen 
top  surrendered  himself  as  a  prisoner,  when  two 
sailors  rushed  up,  and  seizing  him  by  the  collar,  at* 
temfited  to  throvf  him  overboard^  but  he  got  within 
the  shrouds,  when  they  seized  him  by  the  heels,  and 
threw  him  on  the  deck !  Being  stunned  by  the  fall^ 
h«  lay  some  time  senseless,  and  when  he  came  too, 
he  was  cut  over  the  head  with  a  cutlass  which  near« 
ly  terminated  his  existence.  Mr.  Livingston,  ano« 
^er  midshipmani  after  receiving,  a  musket  baU^ 


*■ 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  M580 

(716)872-4503 


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A. 


■ibtout  of  the  Itab. 


tr 


tbrdugh  his  bodjr.  wat  ran  through  the  bo<ff  three 
timcs)  notwithstanding  his  repeated  crie»  for  quar- 
ters) (and  after  the  enemy  had  possession  of  the 
ship!)  he  lived  lon){  enough  to  express  hisindig« 
nation  at  th^  bruiality  oC  his  enemies,  and  expired 
in  a  few  hours.  Three  ihen  were  killed  in  the  hold 
after  the  capture  of  the  ship ;  and  Uiey  even  fired  in* 
to  the  eockftiu  among  the  wounded  and  dying  !  Ele- 
ven of  the  Chesapeake's  officers  were  confined  in  a 
small  place,  9  feet  by  six,  with  a  guard  at  the  door, 
till  their  arrival  at  Halifax,  and  only  1  or  3  permit- 
ted to /come  out  at  a  time.  Men  were  sh^t  at  in 
coming  down  out  of  the  tops  to  surrender  them- 
selves, and  other  instances- of  barbarity  took  place^ 
disgracetul  to  a  civilised  people." 

The  boasting  of  British  editors  ^nd  the  rei 
joicings  of  British  partisans,  were  rather  mad 
than  enthijsiastie  on  the  recoverjr  of  her  tri- 
dent by  the  mistress  of  the  deep ;  but  this  re- 
joioing  did  not  long  continue;  the  facts  con- 
nected with  the  engagement  could  not  belong 
concealed.  The  cowardly  superiority  of  the 
enemy,  the  unexampled  bravery  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, and  the  great  loss  of  blood  in  defence  of 
.  their  flag,  especially  when  contrasted  with  for- 
mer- engagements  in  which  the  enemy  was  de- 
feated, left  no  solid  ground  for  exultation,  no- 
thing of  which  to  boast.  The  ^unprejudiced 
reasoner  will  be  yet  found  holding  the  laurel, 
and  doubting  whether  to  award  it  to  tb^  victor 
or  the  vanquished.  The  honours  conferred  on 
Capt.  Broke,  by  his  countrymen,  were  justly  due 
to  great  valour,  of  which  he  is  certainly  posses* 
SCO,  although  in  tills  instance,  it  was  tarnished  by 
a  dastardly  plan  to  render  suoccsb  certain. 

I'he  body  of  Capt.  Lawrence  was  interred 
ft  Halifax^  oa  the  Stb  June  i  on  wluch  oeea^itu 


■- 1  *..*■ 


BI8T0BT  OV  TBB  WAB« 


9a 


fhe  British  oflieers  joined  in  prooeiiiony  to  show 
their  respect  for  a  naval  eommander,  whose  fae« 
roism,  sldil  and  demeanort  drew  respeetfrom  allj 
e?0D  fk*oni  the  enemy.  > 

Captain  Crowmnshield,  of  Salein»  (Ms.)  hav- 
ing obtained  a  flag  of  truce»  proeeeded  to  Hali-.' 
fax  in  the  brig  Henryy  at  his  own  primte  ex- 
pense ;  andt  being  permitted  to  take  on  board 
bis  vessel,  the  bmy  of  Captain  Lawrence,  and 
also  that  of  Lieutenant  Ludlow,  brought  th« 
corpses  to  Salem,  where  a  funeral  procession 
took  place,  on  the  17th  August,  with  every  mark 
of  f egret,  esteem,  and  Kratitude,  which  the  citi- 
zens could  bestow.  Judge  Story  delivered  a 
suitable  oration :  the  effect  produced  on  the  au-r 
dience  when  the  orator  pronouneed  the  last  dy- 
ing words  of  Lawrence,  «  doitt  give  uf  tub. 
SHIP,"  may  be  conceived ;  to  describe  it  would 
be  impossible. 

Mr.  Edward  N.  Cox,  brother-in-law  to  Cap-> 
tain  Lawrence,  proceeded  to  Salem,  and,  having 
received  the  bodies  of  the  two  heroes,  conv^-. 
ed  them  to  the  city  of  New-Tork,  where  they 
were  finally  interred.  The  arrangements  for  a 
public  funeral  were  made,  under  the  direction  of 
a  committee  of  the  common  council  of  the  city« 

On  Thursday,  the  10th  September,  pursuant 
to  arrangements,  the  bodies  of  our  valiant  coun- 
trymen, Lawreuce  and  Ludlow,  were  finally 
coHijigned  to  the  peaceful  tomb.  The  unusual 
number  which  swelled  the  moumfiil  procession, 
and  the  undissemblcd  sorrow  which  marked  ev- 
ery countenance  ttom  the  highest  to  the  lowest 
order,  evinced  in  an  unparaljeled  degree,  the 
public  sympathy,  and  that  the  honours  paid  to 
the  «  ni%lity  dead'*  were  not  more  conspicuous 
Muui  deserved.    Qd  no  similar  occasion  have  wc^ 


.   I 


ii 


'f^'.'it: 


H 


■nTOltY  •t  THB  WAk 


\' 


witnessed  %  testimonial  of  respect  so  iin!veif« 
lAl  ttod  sincere.  It  was  indeed  a  day  of  mourn- 
ing. The  hearts  of  hoary  iiatriots^  and  youth* 
fuTheroeSf  beat  in  solemn  unison>  and  the  bright 
eye  of  beauty  glistened^  with  a  tributary  tear, 
Mot  only  the  refleetions  arising  from  sueh  a 
scene»  but  every  transaetion  eonneeted  with  the 
proceedings  of  the  day*  were  calculated  to  iu" 
spire  with  reverenee  the  coldest  and  most  disin* 
terested  spectator. 

^'-  The  .concourse  of  spectators  who  witnessed 
this  interesting  and  impressive  exhibition^  was 
innumerable^  and  is  supposed  to  amount  to  for-* 
ty  or  fifty  thousand.  The  streets  were  linedt 
the  windows  orowdedy  and  the  roofs  covered 
with  oitizensy  viewing  the  grand  and  solemn' 
spectacle.  The  procession  of  boats  in  the  bar* 
bourf  from  its  noyelty  in  particular,  attracted 
much  attention*  and  the  wharves  and  the  rig- 
ging of  the  vessels  in  the  docksy  were  crowded 
with  spectators. 

The  corporatidn  made  a  provision  of  1,000' 
dollars  for  each  of  the  two  Infant  children  of 
Captain  Lawrence.  ,^ '  < 

An  application  to  the  British  naval  officer^ 
Captain  Oliver,  fur  permission  to  conyey  the 
bodies  of  Lawrence  and  Ludlow,  by  water,  to 
Ki^w-Tork  was  shamefully  refused. 

The  following  extraets,  translated  from  a 
French  paper,  is  w'     '  y  of  a  place  here. 

«  The  British,  who  >^xd  triumphed  in  so  many  na- 
val combats,  preTibusly  to  the  prevailing  American 
war,  have  long  relinqui&hed  the  practice  of  rejoicing 
for  victories  obtained  over  a  single 'frigate.  If  an 
achievement  of  that  surt  took  pluce  against  any  of 
the  Euiidpean  powers,  the  detail  of  the  action  waS 
merejy  inserted- in  the  London  Gazettei  the  papers 


2j_'f**<  •  ••i''  <*•     ■      'I'     l>  llltfn 


■ItreBT  OV  TBB  WAB. 


w 


'.>  • 


%f  the  metropolU  echoed  the  namtivet  paid  a  prestk* 
ing  compliment  to  the  .ofiicer«  and  the  affair  went 
off,  being  recorded  firo  mem^ricy  in  the  Nayal  . 
Chronicle,  ai  a  thing  of  course.  Votes  of  honour 
from  the  corporation  of  London,  a  sword  of  a  hun* 
dred  guineas  value,  and  parliamentary  encomiumsy  / 
were  reserved  for  the  hero  who  should  destroy  a^ 
Jleet,  The  battle  of  the  IVile,  that  of  Trafalgar^  v 
and  the  like,  were  alone  brilliant  enough  to  excHe  , 
the  applause  of  a  people  grown  callous  to  common 
feats  of  tenowny  and  who,  accustomed  to  vanquish 
every  thing  on  the  ocean,  believed  themselves  om- 
nipotent on  that  element.  In  the  Americans  the 
British  have  found  ru  enemy  that  has  obstructed 
the  agreeable  train  of  their  maritime  ideas.  The 
citizens  of  the  United  Sutes  are  the  best  seamen 
in  the  world,  rheir  (fficers  are  men  of  nautical 
science,  of  great  experience,  and  generally  in  the 
prime  of  life.  The  first  nnval  combat  of  the  war» 
marked,  not  a  simple  equality  of  skill  and  courage 
in  the  men  of  the  two  countries,  but  a  decided  su* 
periority  in  favour  of  the  Americans.  If  the  Eng- 
lish pride  was  moftified  at  the  sudden  reverse  in 
tb^ capture  of  the  (iutrriere,  the  whole  British  go- 
vernment was  thrown  into  cons  emation  at  the  cap- 
ture of  the  Macedonian,  the  Java,  the  Frolic^  and  the 
Peacock.  Such  rupid  and  successive  defeats  made 
the  cabinet  of  St.  James  bristle  again ;  it  seemed  as 
if  all  the  English  captains  were  doomed  to  pass,  one 
after  the  other,  under  the  Yankee  yoke,  or  to  the  re- 
gions of  the  dead  1" 

**  A  triumph  gainrd  by  something  very  like  aa 
artifice,  has  given  occasion  to  the  most  extravagant 
demonstrations  of  joy  in  London.  A  member  of 
Parliament,  whose  name  is  Croaker^  which  in  the 
English  tongue,  signifies  a  noisy,  but  contemptible 
i;eptile,  has  pronounced  on  the  occasion'  a  most 
preposterous  eulogium,  xnd  the  corporation  of  Lon- 
don have  treated  the  affair  as  if  the  fleets  of  all  the 


i.i-',.i-s 


«■;.»  ,»..'i,.i,^- 


.   ^^r^. 


«« 


aiBTOST  9W  tWM  WAB* 


^irorld  had  been  anchored  in  the  Thames,  aff  trophies 
jof  their  Viitour !  Who  it  there  that  does  not  perceive 
in  this  vapottring  of  the  Islanders*  a  real  fear  for 
their  ultimate  naval  superiority  T  The  Americans 
■will  soon  recover  from  this  event  '1  hey  are  a  peob 
<ple  that  do  not  yield  to  misfortune.  We  had  some 
«9(perience  of  them  SO  years  ago ;  and  they  have 
Already  evinced  that  they  haye  not  degenerated/* 
'■■  'Ihe  bui'burous  osagt;  whieh  the  crew  of  the 
Chesapeake  received  from  the  enemy,  when  con- 
trasted with  the  treatment  which  the  biave  Law- 
Tenoe  and  his  erew  observed,  when  they  were 
Victors,  is  the  best  possible  comment  on  the  cha- 
^■aeter  of  both  nations. 

It  is  a  fact  worthy  of  note,  and  in  the  highest 
degree  honourable  to  our  brave  tarc^  that  on  the 
day  preceding  tlie  destruction  of  the  Peacocj^, 
the  crew  of  the  Hornet  made  a  subscription,  and 
supplied  the  prisoners  (who  had  lost  almost  eve- 
ry thingf)  with  two  shirts^and  a  jacket  and  trow- 
•erseaoh. 

;    The  following  is  the  official  report  of  an  ex* 
traordinary  event  whieh  occurred  June  6. 

Copy  of  letter  from  Major-general  Dearborn,  to 
the  secretary  of  war. 
Head'  Quarter »,  Fori  George^  June  6,  1813. 
Sir— I  have  received  an  express  from  the  head  of 
the  lake  this  evening*  with  intelligence,  that  our 
troops,  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  Chandler,  were  atp 
tacked  at  two  o'clock  this  morning  by  the  whole  of 
the  British  and  Indian  forces,  and  by  some  strange 
fatality,  ti>ough  our  loss  was  ssnall,  (not  exteeding 
thirty.)  and  the  enemy  completely  routed  and  driven 
from  the  field,  both  Brig.  Generals  Chandler  and 
Winder,  were  taken  prisoners.  They  had  advanced 
%o  ascertain  the  situation  of  a  company  of  artillery, 
when  the  attack  commenced.  General  Vincent  is 
•aid  to  be  among  the  kiUed  of  the  enemy  {  Cekmel 


UlSTOST  OF  THB  WAV. 


lii'i 


fT 


Clarke  w&s  mortalljr  woundedf  and  fell  into  our# 
hands,  with  60  prisoners  of  the  49th  British  regiment. 
The  whole  loss  of  the  enemy  is  250.  They  sent  in 
a  flag  with  a  request  to  bury  the  dead.  Gen.  Lewi8» 
accompanied  by  Brig.  Gen.  Boyd,  goes  on  to  take  the 
command  of  the  advance  troops." 

It  appears,  that  on  Ihiti  occasion,  the  advanc- 
ed guard  of  the  American  army  commenced  a 
sharp  skirmish  with  the  advance  of  (he  enemyy 
in  the  afternoon  of  the  6th  June :  the  latter  was 
compelled  to  retreat  into  a  thiek  wood.  In  the 
evening,  the  Americans  took  a  position  behind 
Stoney-creek  ;  the  light  infantry  and  part  of  the 
rifle  corps,  on  the  right  of  the  96th  regimenty 
formed  the  right  wing ;  the  artillery,  under  Gapt. 
Townson,  and  f  j.  Leonard,  the  centre ;  the  5th, 
16th,  and  23d  infantry,  and  some  riflemen,  the 
left;  9,^  the  civalry  in  the  rear;  the  picket 
guards  were  strong,  and  so  placed,  as  to  surround 
the  encampment  with  centinels.  The  whole 
force  did  not  exceed  iOOO  men,  but  their  disposi- 
tion was  the  best  that  could  lie  made.  Three 
hundred  men  were  eHifam|ied  on  the  border  of 
the  lake,  for  the  protection  of  tUe  boats. 

About  2  o*cloek  irr  the  morning,  (he  enemy 
forced  the  pieket,  and  attacked  the  encampment, 
in  the  dark  wi(h  his  whole  force  of  regulars  and 
Indians.  Tlie  Americans  withstood  and  resisted 
the  enemy  with  such  resolution  and  success,  that 
when  the  day  dawned,  none  of  the  enemy  were 
to  'be  seen,  but  the  killed  and  wounded,  who 
covered  the  field  of  battle. 

The  attack  began  on  the  right  and  was  gal- 
lantly repelled  by  the  fire  of  the  light  troops 
and  t25th  regiment,  commanded  by  Maj.  Smith. 
In  a  few  minutes  it  became  general  along  the 
whole  line,  and  wns  nobly  returned  by  the  ar- 


t' 


'r     ' 


:'f. 


\' 


98 


^^,^^^ 


BISTORT  OV  THE  WAB. 


\ 


tillfry  of  the  centre,  commanded  by  Captalni 
Townsend,  and  L.  lieonard,  and  bv  the  troops  of 
the  left  wing,  viz.  the  5th  under  Lieut.  Col.  Mil- 
ton, the  2dd  commanded  by  MhJ.  Armstrong, 
and  the  16th.  The  fire  continued  with  little  In- 
termission for  one  hour,  during  which  time  the 
enemy  attempted,  by  frequent  charges,  to  break 
our  line,  but  without  effect,  lieing  obliged  to  give 
vay  by  the  well  directed  fire  of  our  brave  troops.- 
The  13th  and  14th  regiments  (which  had  been 
dotjiehed  the  preceding  evening)  were  active  in 
making  prisoners,  and  advanced  with  much  ar. 
dor  to  the  field,  in  hopes  of  sharing  with  the 
gallant  5th,  and  22d,  23d,  and  light  troops,  the 
glory  of  another  eombat.  But  the  unfortunate 
eapture  of  Brig.  Gens.  Chandler  and  ^Vinder,i 
Vfho  were  taken  in  the  action  unknown  to  any 

fh-rt  of  the  army,  and  hurried  to  the  enemy's 
ines,  prevented  the  future  operations  from  be- 
ing carried  into  effect,  with  the  promptitude 
which  assuredly  would  have  taken  place,  had 
either  of  those  officers  been  present  to  com- 
mand. 

As  soon  as  it  was  discovered  that  generals 
binder  and  Chandler  were  prisoners.  Colonel 
James  Burn,  on  whom  the  commund  devolved, 
summoned  a  council  of  wur,  a  majority  of  whom 
decided,  that  the  army  ought  to  retire  to  its 
former  position,  at  Forty- mile  creek. 

The  army  on  this  occasion  has  proved  its 
firmness  and  bravery,  by  keeping  its  position  in 
a  night  attack,  in  which  the  yells  of-the  Indians, 
mingled  with  the  roaring  of  cannon  and  mus- 
ketry were  calculated  to  intimidate.  The  ene- 
my charged  repeatedly,  and  so  dark  was  the 
night,  that  our  army  could  not  distinguish  friend 
from  foe  5  in  one  of  these  they  succeeded  la 


i§' 


4^ 


HI8T0RT   OF  THE   WAB« 


«^itl 


carrying  off  a  6  pounder*  howitzer,  and  a  eai«* 
son*  to  the  great  mortiHcation  of  our  brave  ar- 
tillery. It  is  presumed  it  was  on  that  occasion  al- 
so that  we  lost  our  generals,  who  were  distinctly 
heard,  enooumging  our  men  to  figlit.  Tho 
squadron  ofdragoons  remained  formed  and  steady 
at  thoir  posts,  but  could  no^  apt  on  account  of 
the  darkness  of  the  nighty  and  the  thickness  ot 
th  e  adjacent  woods. 

Report  qf  killed^  nvoundrd  and  mitaing,  in  the  action 
qf  the  6th  June^  at  Stoney  Creek, 

iTtV/fcr— I  sergeant,  ]  corporal,  15  privates. 

^oun(/e£f—l  captain,  1  sergeant,  3  corporals,  and 
34  privates. 

Maaing-^i  brigadier-generals,  1  major,  S  captaioj^ 
I  subaltern,  9  sergeants,  4  corporals,  80  privates.  ; 

Total,  killed,  wounded  and  mbsing,  154. 

Correct  returns  from  the  reports  of  the  different 
corps  in  the  action  of  the  6th  inst*  at  Stoney  Creek* 

J.  JOHJSSON,  Ast.  Adj.  Gen. 

The  enemy  aeknowledged  to  have  on  this  oe- 
oasion,  the  8th  or  king's  regiment,  280^  men  ; 
49th  regiment,  480 — Total  regular  710,  besides 
«  a  poweiful  body  of  Indians  under,  the  Chief 
Norton."  As  the  enemy  makes  no  mention  of 
his  militia,  and  he  is  known  to  under-rate  hie 
actual  force  in  every  action,  it  may  be  supposed 
that  his  force,  in  the  engagement  at  Stoney^creek^ 
was  very  considerable. 

The  American  army  took  up  a  position  at 
Forty- mile  creek,  10  miles  in  rear  of  the  ground 
OQ  which  it  had  been  attacked.  Here  it  was  join- 
ed at  5  o'clock  in  the  ufternoon  of  the  7th  June» 
by  a  reinforcement  under  the  eommand  of  Gen. 
Lewis.  At  6  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  hostile 
fleet  hove  in  sight ;  the  Americans  lay  on  their 
arms  during  the  night.    At  dawn  of  day  the 


m 


'I 


iOO 


niTOBT  99  THK  WAl. 


•\: 


squadron  appeared  about  a  mile  from  the  shore; 
about  6  o*o]ook  towed  in  a  large  schooner,  (it 
being  a  dead  caliAy)  with  a  view  to  destroy  a  num- 
ber of  boats  attaehed  to  the  American  army 
which  lay  on  the  bench.    By  means  of  a  tempo- 
rary furnace,  constructed  in  half  an  hour,  under 
direction  of  Capt.  Totten,  of  the  engineers,  and 
by  the  sucoessful  fire  fk*om  4  pieces  of  artillery, 
worked  by  the  men  of  Gapt.  Archer  and  Tow- 
ion's  companies,  the  enemy's  schooner  was  com- 
pelled to  retire,  without  effecting  the  destruction 
of  the  boats.    A  party  of  Indians,  having  occu- 
pied a  commanding  eminence,  commenced^ an  at- 
tack on  the  Americans,  but  were  soon  dislodgedi 
and  forced  to  retreat  before  a  party  of  volunteers, 
under  command  of  Lieut.  Eldridge,  adjutant  iii 
Col.  Chrystie's  regiment.   Sir  James  Yeo,  com- 
mander of  the  enemy's  fleet,  having  failed  in  his 
attack  on  the  boats,  sent  a  flag  to  the  American 
oommtiuder,  dematiding  a  surrender  of  the  army ; 
to  this  h  verbal  negative  was  given.    On  the  14ith| 
a  part  of  the  eamp  equipage  and  baggage  were 
put  in   boats,  and  the  weather  being  favoura- 
ble, the  Imats,  put  off,  without  waiting  for  a  de-  ^ 
tatehment  of  200  men,  which  was  ordered  to  go 
on  board  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  them,  in 
ease  of  being  attacked.     It  was  a  short  time 
calm,  but  a  breeze  springing  up,  when  they  had 
progressed  about  three  mile8,'they  were  borne 
down  upon  by  an  armed  schooner ;  the  most  en- 
terprising kept  on  and  escaped,  others  ran  to  the 
shore  and  deserted  their  boats ;  twelve  of  the 
boats,  principally  containing  boggage  of  the  of- 
ficers and  men,  were  taken.    At  10  o'clock.  Gen. 
Lewis  put  the  army  in  motion,  in  order  to  return 
to  Niagara ;  tho   Canadian  militia  and  savages 
hang  on  their  flanks  and  rear,  during  the  retreat* 


■ISTOHT  OV  TUB  WAB. 


iOl 


Lieut*  Col.   Bcerstler  was  detachod  on  the 
evening  of  2Sd  June,  with  570  nien*  to  a  place 
ealled  Beaver-dams,  about  9  miles  fVom  Queens- 
town,  to  disperse  a  body  of  the  enemv  collected 
there,    llie  enemy's  force   was  understood  to 
consist  of  above  80  regulars,  160  or  200  militia* 
and  dO  or  60  Indians.     Col.  Bcerstler's  detach- 
ment reached  witbin  about  two  miles  of  Beaver- 
dams,  at  8  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  it  was 
attacked  from  an  ambuscade,  consisting  of  500 
regulars,  and  100  Indians,  but  soon  repulsed  the 
enemy,  and  then  retired  to  a  clear  field,  and  sent 
an  express  for  reinforcements.    A  reinforcement 
of  SOO  men,  under  command  of  Col.  Chrystie* 
was  quickly  marched  to  the  aid  of  Col.  Bcerst- 
ler; but,  on  arriving  at   Queenstown,  was  in- 
formed, that  Lieut.  Col.  Bcerstler,  with  his  com- 
mand, liad  surrendered  to  the  enemy.    The  re- 
inforcement returned  to  camp.    The  Amerieaii 
troops  fought  with  great  bravery  for  two  hours* 
while  surrounded  by  superior  numbers.    General 
Dearborn,  in  his  official  statement,  dated  at  Fort 
George,  June  25th,  expresses  his  surprise,  <<  why 
it  should  have  been  deemed  proper  t^  remaio 
several  hours  in  a  |)Osition  surroundt'd  by  woods* 
without  either  risking  a  decisive  aclion,  or  effect- 
ing a  retreat,  remains  to  be  accounted  for*  as 
well  as  the  project  of  waiting  for  a  reinforcement 
from  a  distance  of  tifteen  or  sixteen  miles.'*   This 
difficulty  was  soon  cleared  up  by  Major  Chapin^ 
who  commanded  the  milifia  at  tlie  buttle  of  Bea- 
ver dams,  but  who  arrived  at  BuSaloe  in  the 
night  of  the  13th  July,  having,  together  with 
his  company,  escaped  from  the  enemy,  after  be- 
ing pristmers  of  war.    Capt.  Chapin  stated  that 
the  enemy  was  considerably  superior  in  number^ 
lotwithstanding  which,    Lieut  C6L   Boersil^ 

IS 


i 


u 


lux 


UlgTOQT  OP  THE   WAB« 


\ 


would  have  been  -Ule  to  maintnin  liis  poitition*  or 
•ut  a  paiiage  llirouch  the  enemy,  so  at  to  effeet 
a  retreat;  but  at  tbis  juncture  a  British  officer 
rode  up  and  demanded  tlie  surrender  of  the  A- 
merioan  party.  Tlic  demand  whs  made,  be  said, 
to  prevent  the  effusion  of  blood.  He  asserted 
alsoy  upon  his  honour,  and  declared  in  the  most 
solemn  manner,  that  the  British  regular  force 
was  double  that  of  the  American,  and  that  the 
Indians  were  700  in  number.  Lieut.  Col.  Bcerst- 
ler,  under  a  belief  of  these  faets,  and  thinking  it 
impraeticable  to  get  off  the  wounded,  whom  he 
was  unwilling  to  abandon  to  the  mercy  of  the  sa* 
▼agesy  and  deeming  it  extrcmelv  uncertain  whe- 
ther a  retreat  could  be  effected,  thought  proper 
to  agree  to  terms  of  capitulation,  which  were  tf 
length  signed  by  himself  on  the  one  part,  and  by 
Lieut.  C^  Bishop  on  the  other.  ^ 

i    Capt.  Chapin  makes  the  fohowing  statement : 

«  The  articles  of  capitulation  were  no  sooner  sign* 
td,  than  they  were  violated.  T^e  Indians  immedi- 
ately commenced  their  depredations,  and  plundered 
the  officers  of  their  side  arms.  The  soldiers  too 
were  stripped  of  every  article  of  clothing  to  which  the 
savages  took  a  fancy,  such  as  bats,  coats,  shoes,  See." 

By  the  articles  of  capitulation,  it  was  stipulat- 
ed that  the  wounded  should  be  taken  good  care 
ef,  the  officers  be  permitted  to  retain  their  side* 
arms,  private  property  be  respected,  and  the  mi- 
litia immediately  parolled.  How  eharacteristie 
af  a  savage  and  faithless  enemy  was  this  shame- 
ful violation  of  honour  and  good  faith. 

Major  Chapin  and  bis  corps  were  detained  un- 
der guard  at  the  bead  of  Lake  Ontario,  and  n» 
attention  paid  to  the  article  of  capitulation^ 
-which  provided  for  tbeir  being  paroUed*.    On  tbi 


V>v. 


t    • 


■ISTOET  Of  THE   WAX* 


loa 


Itth  inst.  they  were  ordered  down  the  lake  to 
Kingston  i  for  whiob  place  they  were  embarked 
in  two  boatiy  aeoompanied  by  a  guard  of  15  men, 
under  tbt  eominand  of  a  lieutenant.  Thirteen 
of  the  men,  with  the  lleutenantf  were  B(ationed 
in  the  forward  boat  with  M^jor  Chapin  and  the 
other  offleers,  while '  the  remaining  two»  (a  ler- 
geant  and  one  man^)  took  the  direetion  of  the  other 
boaty  whioh  contained  the  soldierk.  An  agree- 
ment had  been  entered  into,  preifiouft  tothoir  de« 
parture,  of  seizing  the  first  opportunity  that  of- 
ferred  to  regain  their  liberty^  which  they  deter- 
mined to  effect*  or  die  in  the  attempt.  >Vheo 
tliey  were  within  about  12  miles  of  York,  the 
boat  which  was  filled  with  the  prisoners,  was 
rowed  by  them  along  side  the  other^  under  pre- 
tence of  taking  something  to  drink.  The  signal 
being  given,  they  sprang  upon  the  guard,  who 
little  ex|ieoted  such  a  mancDuvre,  and  in  a  short 
time  disarmed  them,  and  gained  possesion  of 
the  boats.  They  immediately  altered  their  course 
from  Kingston  to  Fort  Niagara^  and  after  row- 
ing hard  for  most  of  the  night,  and  escaping  with 
difficulty  from  one  of  the  «nemy'8  schooners, 
which  gave  them  chase,  arrived  in  safety  with 
their  prisoner«(,  at  the  American  garrison. 

'I'he  following  extract  of  a  private  letter  from 
Fort  George,  made  its  appearance  in  a  publio 
newspaper,  in  the  first  week  in  August : 

^  A  large  boat  arrived  two  days  since  from  Little 
York,  containing  one  lieutenantf  and  8  of  hjs  Britan- 
nic majesty's  militia,  captured  by  8  of  Our  men,  (3 
regulars,  nnd  5  militia,)  taken  at  Beaver  Dams.  The 
lieutenant  and  his  party  were  conducting^  them  to 
Kingston— our  men  rose  on  the  English  and  brought 
them  in  here.  Another  boat,  with  14  of  Boerstler's 
men,  has  just  come  in  from  York,  bringing  with^ 
^em  their  centinel;  and  one  otiier  person/' 


/-"' 


li  .:« 


If 


v 


lOi 


UISTOBT  OT  THE  VAB. 


It  would  be  an  unpardonable  injustice  ^o  the 
brave  Cliapin  not  to  give  his  own  report  of  thig 
beroio  escape.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  his 
letter  to  Gen.  Dearborn,  dated  Fort  George, 
June  13th,  1813.      . 

«  Sir— I  have  just  arrived  from  mjr  confinement  in 
Canada,  with  my  men,  without  our  parole.  Our  re* 
turn  happened  m  the  following  manner :  I  received 
orders  at  Burlington  heights  on  Monday  morning,  to 
go  to  Kingston— We  set  off  accordingly  under  the 
care  of  a  guard  of  16  men.  Ihad  with  me  28  men: 
We  all  went .  on  very  quietly  till  4  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  at  which  time  1  gave  a  signal  to  attack  the 
guard,  which  were  stationed  in  the  following  order  : 
A  sergeant  and  one  man  in  the  boat  with  my  men,  a 
lieutenant  and  13  men  in  the  boat  with  me  and  two 
officers.  At  the  signal,  my  men  ran  along  side  of  thi 
boat  I  was  in.  Lieut.  Showers  ordered  them  to  fall 
astern.  I  ordered  them  on  board— at  which  time  the 
officer  attempted  to  draw  his  sword.  I  seized  him  by 
the  neck  and  threw  him  on  his  back— two  of  his  men 
drew  their  bayonets  upon  me— I  immediately  seized 
both  bayonets,  at  the  same  instant,  and  threw  them 
en  the  top  of  the  officer,  and  kept  all  down  together; 
at  ti.e  same  moment,  my  men  seized  the  gu>:ird,  and 
wrested  from  them  their  arms— we  then,  having  pos- 
session of  the  arms,  changed  our  course,  and  arriv^d 
here  this  morning  half  after  two  o'clock,  all  safe.  We 
haye  brought  two  boats  with  us. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your 
obedient  servant, 

'  >  *       ''■-  CYRENUS  CH  VPIN." 

On  the.  11th  July,  1813,250  British  regulars 
•rossed  the  Niagara,  below  Black  Rock,  ntoved 
up  towards  that  place,  and  marched  far  above 
the  navy-yard,  before  any  alarm  was  given.  The 
detached  militia,  being  surprised,  retreated  up 
tbe  heaohi  and  left  the  enemy  in  ^uiet  pessessioii 


^ 


4: 


HiSTOttT  9V  TUB  VAB. 


105 


•f  the  village,  iivho  proceeded  to  burn  the  sailors' 
barracks  and  block-houses  at  the  great  battery  ; 
they  then  proceeded  to  the  batteries,  dismounted 
.  and*  spiked  three  12  pounders,  and  took  a^fay 
three  field-pieces,  and  one  12  pounder;  they  took 
from  the  store-house  a  quantity  of  whiskey,  salt, 
flour,  pork,  &c.  ivhich,  with  four  citizens,  they 
took  across  the  river.  At  the  first  moment  of 
the  alarm.  Gen.  Porter  left  Black  Rock  for  Buf- 
faloe ;  at  which  place  he  assembled  a  body  of 
volunteers,  and  a  few  regulars,  which  with  100 
militia,  and  25  Indians,  formed  a  junction  about 
a  mile  from  the  enemy.  After  being  formed 
vith  the  militia  and  Indians  on  the  Hanks,  and 
the  volunteers  and  regulars  in  the  oentre,  they 
attacked,  and  the  enemy,  after  a  contest  of  20 
minutes,  retreated  in  the  utmost  confusion,  to  the 
beach,  embarked  in  several  of  our  boats,  and 
pulled  for  the  opposite  shore ;  all  the  boats  got 
oiT  without  injury,  except  the  last,  which  suflered 
severely  from  our  fire,  and  from  appearance^ 
nearly  all  the  men  in  her  were  kOled  and  wound* 
ed.  The  British  lost  8  killed'on  the  field,  be- 
sides those  killed  and  wounded  in  the  boats.  The 
Americans  took  15  prisoners^  who  were  sent  to 
Batavia.  On  the  American  side,  sergeant  Hart- 
man,  Jonathan  Thompson,  and  Joseph  \l^right» 
were  killed,  and  5  wounded,  two  of  which  werti 
Indians.  ,      i    ^  * 

On  the  7tb  July,  the  enemy  attacked  a  guard 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  Fort  Cieorge,  when 
Lieut.  Eldridge,  with  39  men,  who  volunteered 
under  him,  went  to  relieve  them ;  but,  in  his  zeal 
to  execute  the  order,  he  unexpectedly  found 
himself  surrounded  in  the  wood  by  Indians,  who 
opened  a  deadly  fire  upon  his  little  corps,  which 
eut  down  18— a  few  fledj^and  the  remainder  wer9 


- 1 


106 


HIBTORT  07  TBE  WAR. 


V 


<■■ 


taken  by  the  Indians,  and  stripped,  scalped,  am! 
mangled  in  a  horrid  manner.  Only  9  of  the 
forps  escaped. 

During  the  night  of  the  4th  July,  a  paHy  of 
the  enemy «  consisting,  accoi'ding  to  the  British 
account,  of  41  men,  but  knoivn  (o  exceed  that 
number,  passed  over  in  boats  from  Chippawa  to 
Fort  Schlosser,  which  was  guarded  by  only  12 
men,  whom  the  enemy  made  prisoners,  logether 
with  three  of  the  citizens;  and  also  succeeded  in 
carrying  off  some  flour,  salt  pork,  whiskey,  &c.; 
one  brass  six  pounder,  a  few  stands  of  arms, 
some  ball-cartridges,  &e.  with  which  they  has* 
tily  retired.  The  enemy  being  reinforced,  re. 
turned  on  the  succeeding  evening  to  complete  the 
plundering,  which  his  hurry  and  fears  eompelied 
him  to  leave  unfinished  during  his  first  visit,  but 
observing  a  guard,  he  retreated  without  attempt, 
ing  to  land. 

A  body  of  the  enemy,  consisting  of  about  209 
men,  besides  Indians,  attacked  the  pickets  at 
Fort  George,  on  the  17th  July,  but  were  brave* 
ly  repulsed,  after  a^  oontest  of  one  hour.  Al- 
though this  affair  was  not  otherwise  of  much 
consequence,  it  was  in  a  degree  so,  Inasmuch  as 
it  gave  a  full  opportunity  of  testing  the  conduct 
of  the  American  officers  engaged;  as  it  was 
fought  in  detachments.  Col.  Scott  had  command 
of  the  troops  on  this  occasion.  Gen.  Boyd,  in 
his  official  report,  highly  extolled  the  activity 
and  bravery  of  those  engaged,  particularly  Ma^ 
jors  Cummins,  and  Armstrong;  Captains  Tan* 
deursen,  Madison.  Birdsall,  and  Towson. 

A  declaration  of  war,  of  which  the  following 
is  a  copy,  was  issued  by  the  Six  Nations  of  New- 
York  Indians,  immediately  after  the  invasion  of 
the  state  by  the  British,  ,    \ 


HISTOBT  OF  THE  ^AR* 


107 


.,      .     DECLAP    TION  OF  WAR. 

'  BT    THE   81.       fATIONS   OF   INDIANS. 

We,  the  Chiefs  and  Councillors  of  tiie  Six  Na« 
tions  of  Indians,  residing  in  the  state  of  New- York, 
do  hereby  proclaim  to  all  the  War  Chiefs  and  VVar- 
rioi's  of  the  Six  Nations,  that  WAR  is  declared  on 
our  p  irt,  against  the  Provinces  of  Upper  and  Lower 
Canada.  -     .      \  *   '  .vV-  v^,. 

Therefore,  we  do  hereby  command  and  advise  all 
the  War  Chiefs  to  call  forth  immediately  the  War- 
riors under  them,  and  pur,  them  in  motion,  to  protect 
their  rights  and  liberties,  which  our  brethren,  the 
Americans,  are  now  defending.  .  :  v. 

(Signed)  By  the  Giand  Counciilorti 

Major-General  Dearborn  had  been  fur  some 
time  in  a  state  of  ill  health.  (In  the  15th  July 
he  was  superoedeil  in  the  command  of  the  army 
on  the  Nia^ava  frontier;  and  was  succeeded  by 
Geii.  Bo^d,  the  secrond  in  command.  On  this 
occasion*  the  genera^  received  a  very  afK^ctionato 
address  from  General  Boyd,  and  the  other  officers 
serving  at  Fort  George.  As,  however,  the 
cau«e  of  the  general's  dismissal  was  the  object 
of  various  conjecture,  the  following  extract  from 
the  general  order,  issued  on  the  occasion,  will 
give  to  the  reader  all  the  satisfaction  in  our  pow* 
ep  to  communi<'ate.    * ' 


■  ••;..■■'?: 


<t  The  major-general  rommanding,  having  receiv- 
ed orders  from  th^^  secretary  of  war,  to  retire  from 
the  command  of  this  army  until  his  health  shall  be 
re-established,  and  until-  further  orders—- the  com* 
mand  devolves  on  Brig.  Gen.  Boyd.  Were  the  ma- 
jor-general permitted  to  consult  his  own  feelings,  no 
consideration  could  induce  him  to  leave  the  army  at 
this  important  crisis ;  but  the  first  duty  of  a  soldier 
is  to  obey  his  superiors." 

About  the  .l.'th  or  10th  of  July,  two  private 
grilled  boatsi  eaok  carrying  a  6  or  8  pounder^ 


Ml 


! 


I* 


i* 


'•I 


lOS 


BISTOBT  OF  THE   ¥^AB. 


and  50  men>  sailed  from  Saokett*8  Harbour,  to 
eruise  in  tke  8U  Lawrence/  On  Monday,  the 
19tli,  they  fell  in  with  a  gun-boat,  carrying  a 
6  pound  carronade,  convoying  15  of  the  enem/g 
batteaux,  captured  them  without  the  loss  of  a 
man,  and  broughf  them  into  Cranberry  Creek, 
about  M  miles  above  Ogdensburgh.  The  bat- 
teaux had  on  board  2SU  barrels  pork,  300  bags 
pilot  bread,  ammunition,  &o.  bound  from  iVlontre* 
ai  to  Kingston.  On  Tuesday  morning,  3  of  the 
enemy's  gun-boats,  with  250  soldiers  from  Pres- 
cot,  arrived  off  the  creek,  and  landed  their  men. 
The  privateersmen  bad  hardly  time  to  construct 
a  breast-work  of  their  bags  of  pUot  bread,  be- 
fore they  were  attacked  by  200  of  the  eiiemv; 
and  strange  to  tell,  after  an  obstinate  engage* 
ment,  in  which  from  40  to  60  of  the  enemy^were 
killed,  his  force  retreated  precipitately  to  their 
boatsy  except  15,  who  took  to  the  woods,  and 
were  pursued.  The  American  loss  was  trifling, 
though  it  is  not  specified.  Sixty-seven  British 
pi'isoners,  captured  in  the  batteaux  and  gun-boat^ 
arrived  at  Watertown  on  Tuesday  evening. 

The  employment  of  Indians  by  the  enemj 
rendered  it  absolutely  necessary  to  attach  the 
friendly  Indians  to  the  army  of  the  U.  States. 
On  this  occasion  there  was  an  opportunity  of 

S roving  that  the  savage  can  abstain  from  those 
iirbarous  acts,  which  the  enemy  must  have  en- 
couraged, or  certainly  did  not  attempt  to  pre- 
vent. 

,  A  body  of  volunteers  and  Indians,  under  com- 
nand  of  Major  Cbapin,  had  a  skirmish  with  the 
enemy,  near  Fort  George,  op  the  17th  August, 
in  which  the  latter  was  defeated,  and  complete- 
ly routed.  The  American  Indians  captured  1^ 
of  the  British  Indians^  and  four  whites.    The 


UUTQUfY  OF  TUS  WlB. 


109 


Indians,  in  a  couneil  held  with  them  previens  to 
this  affair,  eovenant«d  not  to  scalp  or  murder. 
Their  bravery  in  battle  was  as  oonspieuous  as 
their  humanity  to  the  vanquished;  no  insult  wa« 
offered  even  to  the  dead. 

At  day  break  on  the  24th  August,  the  enemy^ 
.^vith  his  whole  force,  commanded  by  Sir  Georgie 
Prevost,  drove  in  all  the  American  pickets  at 
Fort  George.  A  skirmish  ensued  in  the  vil- 
lage, with  little  effect,  when  the  enemy  retired, 
leaving  15  of  his  men  dead  on  the  field,  and  a 
few  prisoners,  ineluding  a  captain  of  the  49th. 
The  Americans  lost  two  men  killed,  and  a  few 
wounded.     -.'''■  -^k  ■:\j(<'^r'.^  -:--^y:.:i 

The  pain  of  being  eompelled  to  relate  the  bar- 
barity of  a  faithless  enemy,  on  almost  every  oc- 
casion where  he  had  power,  is  pleasingly  miti- 
gated by  the  contrast  which  the  acts  of  Ameri- 
can soldiers  and  seamen  produce.  Among  the 
many,  too  numerous  for  recollection  or  detail* 
the  following  will  be  read  with  satisfaction :  r 

On  the  2ist  September,  a  company  of  volun- 
teers, prinei{Milly  of  the  village  of  BuffUloe,  em- 
barked for  Sugar  Loaf,  (about  14  miles  from 
Fort  Erie,)  under  command  of  Major  Chapin* 
with  an  intention  to  surprise  and  capture  a  Bri- 
tish guard,  commanded  by  Col.  Warren,  'the 
colonel  had  anticipated  the  attack,  and  had 
withdrawn  himself  and  guard  from  the  lake 
some  miles,  into  the  interior  of  the  country;— 
The  party  took  several  prisoners,  who  were  im- 
mediately paroled  ;  and  S4  barrels  of  flour,  and 
a  bale  of  blankets,  all  of  which  was  the  proper- 
ty of  government.  There  were  several  hundred 
barrels  of  flour  at  the  mills,  but  there  being  no 
proof  of  its  being  publio  property,  it  wa»  fiot  ta- 
ken,   Tho  conduct  of  Major  Chapiui  in  all  his 


'      >    ':*■■■   i 


119 


■iiTomt  OT  Tiiis  win. 


I ;    / 


incursions  into  the  enemy's  territory,  has  be«D 

>  strictly  honourable ;  carefully  distinguishing  be- 
f  twecn  Xriends  and  enemies ;  justly  diserimioating 

between  publie  and  private  property. 

The  American  fleet,  un^er  eommand  of  Com. 

.  modere  Chaunc^y,  went  out  of  the  inner  bar. 

hour  of  Sackett's  Harbour,  the  19th  July,  1813, 

and  sailed  soon  afterward.    The  fleet  stretched 

over  for  the  enemy's  shore,  and  from  thence 

.'  stood  up  the  lake,  and  arrived  off  Niagara,  in 

y  the  evening  of  the  27tb  July.    Com.  Chauneeif 

.'1)eing  informed  that  the  enemy  had  \a  consider. 

i  Able  deposit  of  provisions  and  stores  at  Burling. 

ton-bay,  haddeterminedio  attempt  their  destruc. 

lion.    Having  tiiken  on  board  250  infantry,  the 

fleet  proceeded  to  the  head  of  the  lake,  but|ow- 

:  ing  to  light  winds  and  calms^  did  not  arrive  tj 

'  an  anchorage  before  the  evening  of  the  29th.^ 

^  Two  parties  were  sent  on  shore,  who  took  somi 

.4>f  tlie  inhabitants,  from  whom  they  learned, 

that  the  enemy  was  lately  reinforced,  and  that 

>  he  had  from  €00  to  800  regulars.    The  troops 
were,  however,  landed  the  next  morning,  toge- 
ther with  some  marines  and  sailors ;  but,  on  re-l 
connoitering  the  enemy's  position,  he  was  foundl 

; posted  upon  a  peninsula  of  high  ground,  stioiig.l 

:  jy  intrenehed,  and  his  camp  defended  by  ahouti 
8  pieces  of  cannon.  It  was  judged  inexpedientl 
to  attaek  him  with  a  force  scarcely  half  bill 
numbers,  and  without  artillery.  The  neil 
were  re-embarked  in  the  course  of  the  afterJ 
noon;  and  the  fleet  weiglied  in  the  evening,! 

:  and  stood  for  Tork,  in  the  harbour  of  whieh 
place  It  anchored  about  3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

'   the  Sist,  the  schooners  sailed  into  the  uppri] 
liarbour ;    the  marines  and  soldiers,  under  il 

M^ommand  of  Colon^  Scott^  landed  without 


UlSTORT  OV  THE   Wl»^ 


at 


position,  (upwards  of  400  men  of  the  enemy  ha?*  t ; 
ing  left  York  for  the  head  of  the  lake*  two  days    ' 
previoiiii  to  ibo  disembarkation.)    Several  hun- 
dred barrels  of  flour  and  proyiiiions  were  found  • 
ID  the  public  itore-house ;  also  5  pieees  of  oan-  r 
DOD)  11  boats*  and  a  quantity  of  shotf  shells,  nod  ; 
other  stores ;  all  of  which  were  either  dcstroyetl-  v. 
or  taken  away*~a  few  prisoners  were   takoa.  r: 
The  troops  were  re-embarked  on  the  Ist  August^  • 
having  previously  burned  the  barracks,  and  pub-  i 
iio  store-houses — the  expedition  arrived  at  Ni'    ' 
agara  on  the  3d.  I 

On  the  7th  August,  at  day-light.  Commodore^  \ 
Chauncey  discovered  the  enemy,  consisting  of' 
g  ships,  ^  brigs,  and  2  farge  sehooners,  on  Lak^  ; 
Ontario.    He  immediately  weighed  anchori  an^ 
manoeuvred  to  gain  the  wind*    Both  fleets  eoa* 
iJQued  to  manceuvre  fur  several  hoursj  at  adis<^ 
tanee  IVoni  each  other  fif  about  6  or  6  miTeSr 
Commodore  Ohauneey  endeavouring  in  vain  t»  ^ 
bring  the  enemy  to  action.     Toward  night  it 
became  quite  calm,  during  whiefa  time  the  Com- 
modore endeavoured   to  reach  the  enemy  by 
sweeps,  but  without  success.     Wind^  during  the  . 
Bight,  was  very  squally.     At  day-light#  on  the 
8th,  discovered  titat  2  of  the   schooners,  the 
Hamilton  and   Scourge,  mounting  together  la 
guns,  had  foundered,  and  every  soul  on  boai*d  ^ 
them,  except  16,  perished.    This  accident  gave 
(be  enepfiy  a  decided  advantage,  yet  the  Commo- 
dore offered  him  battle,  which  was  declined. — 
In  the  afternoon  the  wind  fell  away,  and  the 
Commodore  again  endeavoured  to  reach  the  ene- 
my  by  means  of  his  sweeps,  but  was  again  un-  - 
jsuecessful.    During  the  afternoon,  the  enemy* 
tailing  advantage  of  a  wind  which  sprang  up, 
aid  brought  him  to  windward,  endeavoured  tm 


^iv 


113 


BISTOBT  OT  THE  WAIT. 


A 


1  "■    -   -, 


tut  off  the  American  schooner^  but  they  xfe\*e 
able  to  come  into  their  station  before  be  eonld 
veach  them.  Kight  coming  on»  and  the  weather* 
as  on  the  former  night,  squally*  the  Commo> 
dure,  to  guard  against  further  accident,  as  well 
as  to  afford  some  rest  to  his  men,  who  had  been 
40  hours  at  quarters,  ran  in  towards  Niagara, 
and  anchored  outside'  the  bar.  Here  he  received 
on  board,  and  distributed  in  different  vessels,  160 
irien,  to  aid  in  boarding,  in  case  he  could  close 
ivith  the  enemy. 

Soon  after  day-light  on  the  9th,  be  discovered 
the  enemy,  weighed  anchor,  and  stood  afier  him. 
The  winds  were  light  and  variable,  and  before 
noon  quite  calm ;  at  6  P.  M.  the  wind  sprang  uii, 
pursued  the  probable  course  of  the  enemy  during 
the  night.  In  the  morning  of  the  10th,  discov- 
ered the  enemy  and  gave  him  chase ;  before  the 
wind  changed,'brought  the  enemy  to  windward, 
by  which  he  was  again  enabled  to  avoid  an  ao- 
tion.  Both  fleets  continued  manceuvring  until 
11,  when  a  firing  commenced  between  both  fleets. 
The  wind  favoured  the  enemy,  and  enabled  him 
to  effect  one  purpose  of  all  his  long  and  cowardly  ,| 
manoeuvring,  by  separating  two  vessels  from 
the  remainder  of  the  squadron,  and  capturing 
the  Growler  and  Julia. 

On  the  morning  of  the  lltb,  the  Commodore 
got  sight  of  the  enemy,  but  he  still  refused  bat- 
tle, notwithstanding  his  increased  advantage,  by 
the  capture  of  2  vessels,  and  a  wind  favourable 
to  him.  A  gale  coming  on.  Commodore  Cliaun- 
eey  returned  to  Saeketl's  Harbour,  to  obtain  pro- 
visions,  ot  which  his  ships  was  nearly  desti- 
tute. 

On  the  7th  September,  the  enemy's  Kquadron, 
under  command  o^  Captain  Yeo^  was  discovered 


■.V,. 


lilBT^ftT   OV  THE   WAK. 


113^ 


oh)se  in  with  the  Niagara  river.  Commodore 
Chauueey'i  fleet  immediately  weighed  anohor> 
and  prepared  for  action.  Tlie  enemy  soiled  to 
(he  northward  ;  The  Commodore  in  purtuit.— • 
Tbe  pursuit  was  eontinued  all  round  the  lako^ 
until  the  morning  of  the  l^thr  when  the  enemy 
succeeded  in  getting  into  Amherst>bay.  During* 
the  cliase,  there  was  a  running  fighty  off  Genes- 
see  river,  which  continued  three  and  a  half  houfs ; 
the  enemy  suffered  much  y  the  Americans  did 
not  loose  a  man. 

'  Commodore  Chauncey  continued  to  blockade 
the  enemy  in  Ainherst-bayf  until  the  17th  Sep- 
tember, when  a  heavy  wind  from  the  westward' 
favoured  his  escape  into  Kingston ;  and  the  Ame- 
rioan  fleet  returned  to  Sacliett's  Harbour.  Af- 
ter a  few  hours  delay  at  Sackett's  Harbour,  Com- 
modore Chauncey  bailed  again  for  Niaeara#- 
where  he  arrived  on  the  24th.  On  the  Itfth  he 
saw  the  enemy  off  the  False  Ducks,  but  took  nO' 
notice  of  him,  in  hope  that  he  might  follow  the 
Commodore  up  the  lake.  ^: 

On  the  26th  September,  Commodore  Chaun- 
eey  learned  that  the  enemy's  fleet  was  in  York- 
bay;  he  prepared:  to  weigh,  but  was  prevented 
from  getting  out  of  the  river  before  the  evening 
of  the  27th.  On  the  28th  the  enemy  was  dis- 
covered under  way  in  York-bay.  The  Ameri- 
cans formed  a  line  for  battle,,  and  run  down  for< 
the  enemy's  centre;  The  enemy  endeavoured  to* 
I  avoid  an  action*  At  10  minutes  past  12,  tho 
enemy,  in  ordei'  to  save  his  two  rear  vessels,., 
was  compelled  to  tack  in  succession,  beginning; 
jat  his  van,  when  he  hoisted  his  colours,  and  com- 
Bieneed  a  fire  on  Commodore  Chaancey'l  flag- 
ship, the  General  Pike,  for  the  purpose  of  oo- 
knng  his  rear^  apd  attacking  the  Amerii(»!|dii 


H;li 


ii4 


UIBTOBT  OF  TBS   WAS, 


\ 


rear  as  he  passed  to  leeward.  By  a  happy  mo. 
Boeuvre^  Conimodore  Chauncey  defeated  (his  part 
of  the  adversary's  plan,  when  the  latter  boro 
away.  The  American  shipsf  however,  closed  so 
near  as  to  bring  their  guns  to  bear ;  and  in  20 
minutes,  the  main  and  mizen  top*  masts,  and 
main  yard  of  the  Wolf  wore  shot  away.  This 
ship  immediately  put  before  the  wind,  and  set  ull 
•ail  upon  his  main  mast ;  and,  by  keeping  dead 
before  the  wind,  was  enabled  to  escape.  Tlie 
ohase  was  continued  until  near  3  P.  M.  during 
which  time  the  Commodore's  ship  kept  within 
point  blank  shot  of  the  enemy,  and  sustained  the 
whole  of  his  lire,  during  the  ehase. 

At  15  minutes  past  3,  the  Comihodore  was 
obliged  to  give  up  the  chase :  his  ship  was  mal[. 
iog  water  so  fast,  that  it  required  all  his  pumps 
to  keep  her  clear  ;  and  others  of  his  vessels  were 
much  damaged.  The  enemy ^s  fleet  was  within 
six  Biiles  of  the  head  of  the  lake,  where,  owing 
to  the  stiffness  of  the  gale,  both  fleets  might  go 
asborie  at  a  place  in  possession  of  the  enemy.— 
The  Commodore,  therefore,  thought  proper  to 
proceed  to  Niagara.  The  General  Pike  suffer- 
ed a  considerable  less  of  men,  among  whom 
were  2i  killed  or  wounded,  by  the  bursting  of  a 
gun.  On  the  1st  October,  the  Commodore  sail- 
ed again  from  Niagara,  taking  under  convoy  se* 
-veral  boats  with  troops  for  Sackett's  Harbour, 
Having  eonvoyed  these  as  far  as  it  was  deemed 
necessary  for  their  safety,  he  left  them  to  pro- 
•eed  coast  wise;  and  he  bent  his  course  in  search 
of  the  enemy. 

On  the  2d  October,  at  10  A.  M.  the  enemj 
iras  discovered  steering  a  course  for  Niagara. 
Commodore  Chaunoey  ordered  a  ehasC'^the  en* 
9]Djr  ftToided  an  «ii|;ageiiieiu  as  ttftual,  aniji  was 


HIBTOBT  OF  THE  IfAR. 


il& 


far  ahead  by  aun  down.  On  the  morning  of  the 
5df  the  enemy  was  discovered  at  anchor  elose  io 
with  tlie  land,  between  Twelve  and  'I'wenty.milo 
oreelcsy  but  made  sail»  on  discovering  the  Ameri- 
ean  fleet.  The  Ohase  continued  all  day  :  the  en- 
emy could  barely  be  made  out  from  the  mast- 
head by  sun-down.  At  day-light,  on  the  4th» 
be  could  not  be  seen.  The  Commodore,  sus- 
pecting that  the  enemy,  availing  himself  of  a 
very  dark  night,  had  shaped  his  course  for 
Kingston,  directed  his  course  for  the  Ducks. — 
At  S  P.  M.  the  Commodore  discovered  7  sail 
near  the  false  Ducks,  gave  chase,  and  at  4 
o'clock,  discovered  them  to  be  sloops  and  schoon« 
ers.  At  6  P.  M.  gained  considerably  on  them» 
which  the  enemy  perceiving,  he  took  the  ment 
out  of  a  slow  sailing  gan-boat,  and  then  burneil 
her  to  prevent  her  capture.  At  sun-down,  when 
opposite  the  Real  Ducks,  the  Hamilton,  (late 
Growler,)  Confianee,  (late  Julia,)  and  Mary- 
Anne,  struck  their  colours,  and  were  taken  pos- 
session off.  The  Drummond  soon  after  struck 
to  the  Sylph  ;  and  on  the  following  morning,  the 
Sylph  took  possession  of  the  Lady  Goree.  But 
one  of  the  enemy's  vessels,  a  small  schooner,  es- 
caped, and  she  owed  her  safety  to  the  darkness 
of  the  night. 

Commodore  Chauneey  proceeded  to  Saekett'a 
Harbour  with  his  prizes.  The  captured  vesselt 
mounted  from  1  to  S  guns  each,  and  were  re* 
turning  with  troops  from  the  head  of  the  lake* 
The  following  are  the  number  and  description 
of  troops  of  the  enemy  made  prisoners  on  thif 
occasion  viz.  1  major,  1  captain,  9  subalterns^ 
1  surgeon,  10  sergeants,  4*  drummerSf  202  rank 
and  file,  of  De  WattevileV  regiment ;  i  lieit* 
tenant,^  master's  mates^ ^# seameu  and  mu^ 


f  ! 


iiff 


MirroRT  or  the  wab. 


h- 


\ 


\ 


rineS)  of  the  roval  navv ;  and  4  iailing-ina«ter» 
of  the  iirovincial  navy.  The  enemy'i  tquadron. 
was  seen  going  into  Kingston  the  sume  evening. 

It  was  cau«e  of  much  surpriie  that  the  Bri- 
tish  were  oerhiitleA  to  obtain  an  ateendanoy  a» 
to  actual  force  on  the  laltes  Champlain^  Ontario, 
and  Erie;  if  they  did  not  mako  all  the  use  of 
their  numerical  superiority  which  they  ought  to 
baTc  made,  it  must  remain  for  themselves  to 
explain.  Commodore  Yeo  was  brave^  and  an 
experienced  officer.  His  apparently  cowardly 
conduct  on  Lake  Ontario,  must  have  been  tlie 
result  of  his  private  instructions.  It  must  be 
confessed,  that  this  surmise  is  ill  supported  when 
contrasted  with  the  policy  of  the  British  com* 
manders  on  lakes  Champlain  and  Erie.  On^ 
both  these  lakes,  the  enemy  reckoned  on  successr 
as  what  must  certainly  result  from  his  superior 
tactics,  supiiortcd  by  a  superior  force.  He  did 
try  bis  strength  and  talents  against  the  Yan- 
kees, and  with  his  ships  and  invincibility,  band- 
cd  over  to  the  Yankees,  all  the  laurels  which 
were  gleaned  from  every  other  naval  power.-* 
The  American  war,  on  the  sea  and  the  lakes,  has 
disgraced,  degraded,  and  humbled  the  proud 
mistress  of  the  deepr  iEind  raised  the  aspiring 
and  noble  minded  American  to  a  height,  which 
every  nation  in  the  world*,  except  England,  has 
witnessed  with  a  pleasure  or  enthusiasm,  that 
•peaks  a  language  to  the  Briton,  not  equivocal> 
but  galling,  drewlful,  ominous. 

For  some  time,  the  enemy  assumed,  and  in 
&ot,  held  the  command  of  Lake  Erie.  His 
fleet  was  commanded  by  an  offif^er  of  ex|ieriencc> 
who  tauntingly  boasted  of  his  superiority. — 
Commodore  Oliver  H.  Perry  was  appointed  to 
t^  aomiiiaiKl  of  the  Aioerican  ileet»^   Tk^  Mr' 


UltTOBT  OV  TBX  WAB. 


117 


lowing  extraot  of  a  letter  from  him  to  the  leere- 
tary  of  tlie  navjr»  wat  dated  4th  August,  and  an* 
nounoed  hit  intention  of  meeting  the  enemy. 

u  I  have  great  pleakure  in  informing  yout  (hat  I 
hfkve  succeeded  in  getting;  over  the  bar,  the  U.  S. 
vetteUt  the  Lawrence,  Niagara,  Caledonia,  Ariel, 
Scorpion,  Somers,  Tigreta,  and  Porcupine.  The 
enemy  have  been  in  aight  all  dajr,  and  are  now  abou| 
4  leagues  from  ui.  We  shall  sail  in  pursuit  of  them 
at  3  to-morrow  morning." 

The  following  official  letters  from  the  Com* 
modore,  are  proofs  of  the  modesty,  as  the  result 
of  the  engagemeni  was,  of  the  undaunted  hero- 
ism and  naval  skill  of  this  great  commander.       ^ 

Copy  ({f  a  Utter  from  Commodore  Perry  to  the  See* 
retary  qf  the  J^avy, 

■        ;       U.  S.  brig  Niaiijara,  off  the  Western 
V  '.  i,     v/  Sisters,  Head  of  Lake  Erie, Sept* 

/^J  '  \      ;]0,  1813,4  P. M.  .U.^^ 

Sir,— Tt  has  pleased  the  Almighty  to  give  to  the 
arms  of  the  United  States,  a  sif^nal  victory  over  their 
enemies  on  this  lake.  The  British  squadron,  con- 
sisting of  3  ships,  2  brigs,  1  schooner,  and  I  sloop, 
have  this  moment  surrendered  to  the  force  under  my 
command,  after  a  sharp  conflict.  I  have  the  honour 
to  be,  Sec.    ,    ,       - 

O.H.PERRY. 
Hon,  W«  Jones,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 

Cofiy  tf  a  letter  from  Com,  Ptrry  to  the  Secretary 

qf  the  Navy* 

:.■-■        U.  S.  schooner  ArieU  Put-in-Bay,  ISth 

Sept.  1813. 
Sir,— .In  my  last  I  informed  you  that  we  had  cap- 
tured the  enemy's  fleet  on  this  lake.  I  have  now 
the  honour  to  give  you  the  mo.4t  important  particulars 
of  the  action.  On  the  morning  of  the  10th  inst.  at 
sun-rise   they   were   discovered  from  Put-in-Bay, 


ysm 


V. 


118 


BI8T0ST  OV  THE   WAK. 


when  I  laf  at  anchor  with  the  squadron  under  mf 
command.  Wc  got  under  way,  the  wind  light  at  S, 
W.  and  stood  for  them.  At  JO  a.  m.  the  wind  haul- 
ed to  S.  £.  and  brought  us  to  windward ;  formed 
the  line  and  bore  up.  At  15  minutes  before  13,  the 
enemy  commenced  firing ;  at  5  minutes  before  12^ 
the  action  commenced  on  our  part.  Finding  their 
fire  very  destructive,  owing  to  their  Jong  guns,  and 
its  being  mostly  directed  at  the  Lawrence,  I  made 
sail,  and  directed  the  other  vessels  to  follow,  for 
the  purpose  of  closing  with  the  enemy.  Every 
brace  and  bowline  being  soon  shot  away,  she  became 
unmanageable,  notwithstanding  the  great  exertions 
of  the  sailing-master.  In  this  situation  she  sustain- 
ed the  action  upwards  of  two  hours,  wit!)in  canister 
distance,  until  every  gun  was  rendered  useless,  and , 
the  greater  part  of  her  crew  either  killed  or  Mcund- 
•d.  Finding  she  could  no  longer  annoy  the  enemy, 
I  left  her  in  charge  of  Ueut,  Yamell,  who,  I  was 
vCnyinced  from  the  bravery  already  displayed  by 
him,  would  do  what  would  comport  with  the  honour 
of  the  flag.  At  half  past  3,  the  wind  springing  up, 
Capt.  Elliot  was  enabled  to  bring  his  vessel  the  Ni- 
agara, gallantly  into  close  acdon ;  I  immediately 
went  on  board  of  her,  when  he  anticipated  my  wish, 
by  volunteering  to  bring  the  schooners,  which  had 
been  kept  astern  by  the  lightness  of  the  wind,  into 
elose  action,  it  was  with  unspeakable  pain,  that  I 
saw,  soon  after  I  got  on  board  the  Niagara,  the  flag 
of  the  Lawrence  come  down,  although  I  was  per- 
fectly sensible,  that  she  had  been  defended  to  the 
last,  and  that  to  have  continued  to  make  a  show  of 
resistance,  would  have  beeii  a  wanton  sacrifice  of 
the  remains  of  her  brave  crew.  But  the  enemy 
was  not  able  to  take  possession  of  her,and  circumstan-. 
ces  soon  permitted  her  flag  again  to  be  hoisted.  At 
45  minutes  past  2,  the  signal  was  made  for  *^  close 
action."  The  Niagara  being  very  little  injured,  I 
determined  to  pass  through  the  enemy's  line,  bore 
vp  and  passed  ahead  of  theii*  two  ships  and  a  brigi 


.:-»>.7'<:J  •••\  :.  ;;;V"'-,V; 


HI8T0BT  OT  THE  WAB* 


119 


giving  a  raking  fire  to  them  from  the  starboard  gunSf 
and  to  a  large  schooner  and  sloop,  from  the  larboar4 
side,  at  half  pistol-shot  distance.  The  smaller  ves« 
sels  at  thiti  time,  having  got  within  grape  and  canis- 
ter distance,  under  the  direction  of  Capt.  Elliott  and* 
keeping  lip  a  well  directed  fire,  the  two  ships,  a  brig, 
and  a  schooner,  surrendered,  a  schooner  and  sloop 
making  a  vain  attempt  to  escape." 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Commodore  Perry. 

U.  S.  schooner  Ariel,  Put-in-Bay,  1 3th 
September,  1813. 
w  I  also  beg  your  instructions  respecting  the 
wounded.  I  am  satisfied,  Sir,  that  whatever  steps  I 
jnight  take,  governed  by  humanity,  would  meet  your 
appiobation.  Under  this  impression,  I  have  taken 
upon  myself  to  promise  Capt.  Barclay,  who  is  very* 
dangerously  wouuded,  that  he  shall  be  landed  as  near 
Lake  Ontario  as  possible,  and  I  had  no  doubt  yoti 
would  allow  me  to  parole  him." 

The  following;  is  the  statement  of  the  respect* 
tive  forees  of  th^  contending  fleets. 

Statement  qf  the  force  of  the  British  aguadron. 

Ship  Detroit,  19  guns^l  on  pivot,  and 

2  howitzerSi^ 
Queen  Charlotte,  17  do.        1  do.  ..' 

ISchr.  Lady  Prevost,     13  do.       1  do. 
Brig  Huiiter,  10  do. 

Stoop  Little  Belt,  3  do* 

Schr.  Chippawa,  1  do.  and  3  swivels* 

63  guns. 
JVbrff.— The  Detroit  was  a  new  ship,  very  strongljr 
built,  and  mounted  long  24's,  1 8's,  and  1 2*s. 

Statement  qf  the  force  of  the  United  States  squadron, 
'^rig  I^awrence,            SO  guns. 
Niagara,                20  do, 
Caledonia^  3  do.  ,    .. 


y^ 


/ 


<    ^i 


120 


BISTOBT  OV  THS  VAB. 


\ 


Schr.  Ariel, 

Scorpion, 
SomerS) 
Sloop  Trippe, 
Schr.  Tigress, 
Porcupine, 


4  do.  (1  burst  early  in  ac- 
tion.) 
2  do. 

2  do.  and  2  sviyels. 
1  do. 
1  do. 
1  do. 


54 


i  ti 


X    The  loss,  on  the  part  of  the  Americans,  was 
as  follows : 

'  Killed,   Wounded.  Missing, 

Lawrence,  S2            61  93 

Niagara,  S            25  ST 

Caledonia,  3              3        i 

Somers,  H             d        ' 

Ariel,  I              $            4 

Trppe,  •                  t            9 

Scorpion,  2 '                          Jl 

ff  96         123 

,  Two  days  previous  to  the  action,  57  men  unfit  for 
duty  in  the  small  vessels* 

While  giving  the  .Coinmodorp*s  own  aceovnt 
of  this  aclioHf  we  cannot  omit  his  laconic  letter 
to  General  Harrison.  It  has  been  called,  by  a 
writer,  <«  Cesarean  brevity."  Cresar  said  »*  ve- 
ni,  vidi,  vici/*  but  Perry  did  not  conquer  mere- 
ly by  showing  himself  to  an  enemy,  who,  reckon- 
ing on  his  own  known  superiority  of  force,  and 
presumed  superiority  in  tactics,  calculated,  with 
great  certainty,  on  conquering  the  Yankees.** 
The  battle  was  hard  fought,  and  the  loss  on 
both  sides  very  gn  at.  Pe,rry  might  have  said, 
<•  veni  viei,"  or  as  he  would  translate  the  words 
of  the  Roman  genera!—  <«  w*»  met  the  enemy,  and 
they  are  ours ;"  but  the  addition  of  **  vidi*'  might 


HIBTOBT  OF  THE  WAS. 


1« 


favour  the  opinion  tliait  he  won  the  battle  from 

the  timidity  or  inactivity  of  the.eneniy»  which 

would  be    depriving   the  brave  Perry  und  his 

erew  of  more  than  half  their  merit.  f 

"  U.  S.  brig  Niagara,  aff  the  Westerrt 

Sister,  head  of  Lake  Erie,  Sept.  10th, 

1813,4  P.M. 

»  Dear  General — We  have  met  the  enemy— and 
they  arc  ours.  Two  ships,  two  brigs,  one  schooner^ 
and  one  sloop.  Youis,  with  great  respect  and  es- 
teem, O.  H.  PERRY." 

Hitherto  we  have  seen  the  enemy  beaten  ship 
to  ship,  but  now  we  were  to  witness  them  fleet 
to  fleet ;  and  a  more  decisive  or  splendid  victo* 
ry  was  never  achieved.  *<  From  the  best  infor- 
mation,'' says  the  heroic  Perry,  in  a  ielter  to 
General  Harrison.d  **  we  have  more  prisoners 
than  we  have  men  on  boanl  our  vessels." 

Compared  with  this,  all  former  naval  victo- 
ries lose  their  splendour ;  even  the  great  Nel- 
son, were  he  alive,  must  rank  below  Perry.— 
Nelson  never  captured  an  entire  fleet  5  Perry 
has,  and  that  with  a  fleet  inferior  in  size*  weight 
of  metal,  and  number  of  men. 

The  British  fleet  was  commanded  by  Com. 
Barclay,  an  officer  of  great  merit,  and  much  loved^ 
by  those  under  his  command.  At  a  public  din- 
ner given  to  this  oOScer  at  Terrebone,in  Canada^ 
he  gave  a  toast,  which,  while  it  proves  the  can- 
dour of  the  Commodore  who  gave  it,  is  an  indis- 
putable proof  of  the  merit  of  him  whose  name 
was  the  subject  of  it.  The  toast  was  in  the  fol- 
lowing words  :  <*  Commodore  Perry,  the  gallant 
and  generous  enemy."  -  .» 

Soon  after  the  victory  on  Lake  Erie,  the  Pre- 
sident of  the  United  States  appointed  Oliver  H* 
Perry  to  the  rank  of  captain  in  the  navy. 


t 


pH  r 


\ 


122 


HISTOBT  OF  THE  WAR. 


The  rommoflore  ivas  presented  with  the  free, 
dom  of  the  cities  of  New- York  and  Albany. 

I'he  thanks  of  Congress  were  voted  to  the 
Commodore,  his  officersy  seamen  and  marines; 
and  medals  were  presented  to  him  and  his  olfi. 
eers. 

The  thanks  of  the  Senate  of  Pennsylvania, 
with  medals,  were  also  voted  to  the  Commodore, 
9nd  those  brave  men  who  served  under  him. 
^  Among  the  many  testimonials  of  the  grati- 
tude of  his  fellow-eitizens,  too  numerous  to  de- 
tailf  the  following  particulars  of  a  present  from 
the  citizens  of  Boston,  deserved  to  be  enumerate 
edy  viz. 

«  A  Salver,  of  an  oblong  square  shape,  23  inches 
long,  by  16  I '2  wide,  witii  a  bright  gadroon  edge. 

Two  Ice  Pailsy  or  decanter  coolers,  barrel  shape, 
hooped  round  with  a  bright  gadroon  edge  at  top  and 
bottom. 

Two  Pitchers,  of  a  large  size,  Chinese  shape,  with 
tops,  and  bright  gadroons  at  top  and  bottom. 

Two  dozen  Tumblers,  plain  barrel  shape,  with  ga« 
droons  at  bottom. 

Wine  Glass  coolers,  each  to  hold  a  dozen  glassesi 
oblong  square  shape,  standing  on  feet,  wih  balls  or- 
namented with  a  bright  gadroon  at  bottom,  and  nar- 
row rim  at  top,  impressed  with  an  oak  leaf. 

A  Coffee  Pot,  Tea  Pot,  Sugav  Basin,  Cream  Eio» 
er,  Tea  Cady,  and  Slofi  Bowl — all  of  oblong  shapes, 
standing  on  feet,  with  balls  at  the  corners,  ornament- 
ed with  deep  borders,  ilinpressed  with  roses  and 
leaves,  and  with  bright  gadroons  at  top  and  bottom. 

The  large  (»ieces  bear  the  following  inscription  : 

SEPTEMBER  10,  1813, 

Signalized  our  first  triumfih  in  squadron— A  ver\j 

9Ufierior  British  force  on  Lake  Erijs,  was 

entirely  subdued  by 

COM.  O.  H.  PERRY; 


s 


■;f 


HISTOBT  OF  THE   WAB. 


19a 


WhOMe  gallantry  in  action  ia  equalled  only  by  hit  ■ 
humanity  in  victory, 
PRESENTED 
In  honour   cf  the    Victor,  by  the  CITIZENS  OF 

^^ijo         Bosrojvr  _ 

The  capture  of  the  British  fleet  removed  the 
chief  object  to  the  capture  of  Maiden  $  and 
General  Harrison  made  dispositions  to  avail 
himself  of  it.  Boats  were  collected,  and  troops 
assembled.  Governor  Shclbj^  arrived  on  the  17th 
September,  at  the  mouth  of  Portage  river,  with 
about  4000  volunteers.  Gen.  M' Arthur  joined 
the  army  in  three  days  after  with  his  brigade 
from  Fort  Meigs.  On  the  21  st,  the  embarkation 
of  troops  commenced.  Put-in-bay  Island  was  tho 
place  of  rendezvous.  Commodore  Perry's  fleets 
including  the  captured  vessels,  were  engaged  in 
protecting  and  assisting  the  men  and  boats,  as 
well  as  in  conveying  stores,  baggage,  £lo.  The 
army  again  embarked  on  board  the  fleet  and 
boats  at  Put  in- bay,  on  the  25th,  and  arrived  the 
same  evening  at  the  Kastern  Sister,  a  small  is- 
land about  sixteen  miles  from  Maiden.  Here 
the  expedition  was  detained  some  time  by  bad 
weather,  during  which  time,  a  reconnoisance  of 
the  enemy's  coast  was  made  by  Gen.  Harrison, 
and  Com.  Perry;  a  despatch  was  also  sent  to 
apprize  Col.  Johnson  of  their  movements,  who, 
with  his  mounted  rangers,  was  to  co-operate  in 
the  reduction  of  Maiden. 

On  the  27tb,  the  army  embarked  at  the  Eas- 
tern Sister,  and  landed  near  Maiden,  in  excellent 
order.  The  enemy  having  previously  evacuated 
the  town,  it  was  entered  by  the  Americans  wUh; 
out  opposition.  #»*-1f 

It  has  been  remarked  in  the  early  part  of,  t!\i8- 
history,  that>  previous  to  the  surrender  of  Jfte^ 


,.''/ 


.,; 


i  ' 


HI8T0BY   07  THE   WAB. 


\ 


f  ^ 


Iroit  to  the  enemy*  the  Indians*  with  the  exv 
eeption  of  a  few  who  had  joined  the  enemy*  re- 
mained inactive*  watching*  with  their  usual  sa- 
gacity* until  they  could  discover  on  what  side 
victory  was  likely  to  perch.  True  to  their  own 
is'bidiouB  and  cowardly  policy*  they  went  ever  to 
Ihe  victorious  Britons ;  hut  no  sooner  was  the 
effect  of  treason  wiped  off  by  the  courage  of  pa- 
triots, than  the  savage  withdrew  from  his  em- 
ployers, and  sought  peace  from  those*  against 
whom  he  hud  so  long  raised  the  tomahawk.-. 
B^  an  otiieial  letter*  written  by  Gen.  M*Arthup 
to  the  secretary  of  war*  and  dated  at  Detroit, 
subsequent  to  the  retreat  of  the  British,  it  ap- 
pears  that  five  nations  of  Indians,  viz.  the  t)tta- 
vas«  Chippawas*  Pattewattemies,  Miamies,  aikd 
Kiekapoos*  have  sued  for  peace.  By  an  agree- 
ment entered  into  between  them  and  Gen.  M'Ar- 
thur,  on  the  part  of  the  United  States*  «  they 
have  agreed  to  take  hold  of  the  same  tomahawk 
Vfith  us*  (the  people  of  the  United  States,)  and 
to  strike  all-whw  arc*  or  may  be*  enemies  to  the 
United  States,  whether  British  or  Indians." 

After  the  evacuation  of  Maiden  by  the  enemy, 
Gen.  Harrison  pursued  the  British,  although  he 
(Harrison,)  had  very  few  horses,  «  scarcely  a 
suffieiency  to  mount  the  general  officers,"  whilst 
the  retreating  enemy  had  upwards  of  1000 
liorses.  Notwithstanding  this  disadvantage,  the 
Americans  pursued  their  object  with  so  much 
diligence,  that  they  came  up  with  the  enemy. 
The  force  destined  for  this  service,  consisted  of 
•bout  140  regulars,  Johnson's  mounted  regiment, 
{Kentuckians.)  three  companies  of  Col.  BalPs 
legion,  and  such  of  Governor  Shelby's  volunteers 
as  were  fit  fur  a  rapid  march;  (he  whole  a- 
mating  to  about  3^500  men.    During  the  pui> 


...  ;;i5 


histout  of  the  war. 


12S 


9uit»  which  was  attended  with  severe  prirations, 
(the  whole  army  suhsisting for  several  days  upon 
fresh  beef,  witliout  bread  or  salt,  and  the  infan* 
ivy  being  without  tents;)  a  considerable  quan- 
tity of    arms  were  taken,   being  deserted   by 
the  enemy,   and  much   more  destroyed;  these 
consisted  ehlelly  of  muskets  taken,  or  rather  giv- 
en to  them  by  the  capitulation  of  Detroit.    Two 
24  pounders,  with  their  carriages,  besides  a  largo 
quantity  of  balls  and  shells,  and  two  gun-boats* 
and  several  batteaux,   loaded   with    provisions 
and  ammunition,  also  fell  into  the  hands  of  Gen* 
Harrison.     The  destruction  of  these  were  at- 
tempted by  the  retreating  enemy,  but  were  saved 
by  the  activity  of  the  pursuers.    Near  a  plac<» 
called  M'Gregor's  Mills,  on  one  of  the  branches 
of  the  river  Thames,  the  Indians  were  placed  in 
great  numbers,  to  dispute  the  passage  of  the  riv- 
er.   Upon  the  arrival  of  the  American  advaneeitl 
guard,  a  heavy  fire  was  commenced  on  it  by  tho 
Indians,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.    Gen. 
Harrison,  expecting  the  attack  would  be  support- 
ed by  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy,  drew  up  his 
entire  army  in  order  of  battle,  and  brought  up 
two  6  pounders  to  cover  a  party  which  was  or- 
d<?red  (o  repair  a  bridge,  partially  destroyed  by 
the  Indians.     The  Indians,  as  usuaU  when  not 
early  successful,  fled,  after  suffering  a  considera- 
ble loss.    The  American  loss  wui»  t2  kUledy  and  ^ 
or  4  wounded. 

On  the  5th  Octo1)er,  General  Harrison  cam<» 
up  with  the  enemy ;  the  result  cannut  be  givea 
more  satisfat'torily  than  will  be  found  in  t)i& 
fallowing  extract  from  his  letter  to  the  secretar^f 
«f  war. 

.«  From  the  place  where  our  army  was  last  harted|» 
%  tii6  Mucaviua  towns,  a  distance  o£  about,  tbi^ 


rr 


mM 


> 


i' 


(!> 


--— .'-■.'■'a.'r 


lt« 


BISTORT   OV  THE  WAB* 


and  a  half  mileS)  the  road  passes  through  a  beech 
forest)  without  any  clearing,  and  for  the  first  two 
miles*  near  to  the  bank  of  the  river.  At  from  two 
to  three  hundred  yards  from  the  river,  a  swamp  ex- 
tends parallel  to  it  throughout  the  whole  distance. 
The  intermediate  ground  is  dry,  and  although  the 
trees  arc  tolerably  thick,  it  is  in  many  places  clear 
of  underbrush.  Across  this  strip  of  landf  its  left 
afifiaycd  upon  the  river,  supported  by  artillery  plac- 
•d  in  the  wood,  their  right  in  the  swamp,  covered  by 
the  whole  of  their  Indian  force,  the  British  troops 
'Were  drawn  up. 

The  troops  at  my  disposal  consisted  of  about  120 
regulars,  of  the  27th  regiment,  5  brigades  of  Ken- 
^icky  volunteer  militia  infantry,  under  his  excellen- 
cy Ciovernor  Shelby,  averaging  less  than  five  hun- 
dred men,  and  Col.  Johnson's  regiment  of  mounted 
Infantry,  making  in  the  whole  an  aa:gregate  some- 
thing above  3000  No  disposition  of  an  army  op- 
posed to  an  In<  ian  force,  can  be  safe,  unless  it  is  se- 
cured on  the  flanks,  and  in  the  rear.  1  had»  there- 
fore, no  d  fiicuUy  in  arranging  the  infantry  conforma- 
bly to  my  general  order  of  battle.  Gen.  Trotter's 
brig?  de  of  5«0  men,  formed  the  front  line,  his  right 
'Upon  the  roud,  and  his  left  upon  the  swamp.  Gen. 
King's  brigade,  as  a  second  line,  150  yards  in  the 
rear  of  Trotter's  and  Chiles's  brigade,  as  a  corps  of 
i*ese»ve,  in  the  rear  of  it.  These  three  brigades 
iormed  the  conimand  of  Maj.  Gen.  Henry  ;  the  whole 
of  Gen.  Desha's  division,  consisting  of  two  brigades, 
'Were  torm<  d  en  fiotencv  upon  the  h  ft  of  Trotter. 

While  1  was  engaged  in  forming  the  infantry,  I 
Ihad  directed  Col.  Johnson's  regiment,  which  was 
still  in  ~  front  to  be  formed  in  two  lines  opposite  to 
the  enemy,  and,  upon  the  advance  of  the  infantry, 
^to  take  giouud  to  the  left,  and  forming  upon  that 
dlank,  to  endeavour  to  turn  the  right  of  the  Indians. 
A  moment's  reflection,  however,  convinced  me,  that 
fiom  the  thickness  of  the  woods,  and  swampiness  of 
^e  grotind^  they  yrould  be  unablci  to  do  any  thing  on 


BISTOBT  OF  THE   WAB. 


127 


horseback)  and  there  was  no  time  to  dismount  them 
and  place  their  horses  in  security  ;  I*  therefore,  de- 
termined to  refuse  my  left  to  the  Indians,  and  to 
break  the  British  lines  at  once  by  a  charge  of  the 
mounted  infantry  ;  the  measure  was  not  sanctioned 
by  any  thing  that  I  had  seen  or  heard  of,  but  I  was 
ful!y  convinced,  that  it  would  succeed.  The  \me- 
lican  backwoodsmen  ride  better  in  the  woods  than 
any  other  people.  A  musket  or  rifle  is  no  impedi- 
ment to  them,  being  accustomed  to  carry  them  on 
horeseback  from  tlieir  earliest  youth.  I  was  per- 
suaded, too,  that  the  enemy  would  be  quite  unpre- 
pared for  the  shock,  and  that  they  could  not  resist 
it.  Conformably  to  this  idea,  1  directed  the  regi- 
ment to  be  drawn  up  in  close  column,  with  its  right 
at  the  distance  of  fifty  yards  from  the  ruad,  (that  it 
might  be,  in  some  measure,  protected  by  the  trees 
from  the  artillery,)  its  left  upon  the  swamp,  and  to 
charge  at  full  speed  as  soon  as  the  enemy  delivered 
their  fire.  The  few  regular  troops  of  the  37th  re- 
giment, under  their  colonel,  (Paul,)  occupied,  in  co- 
lum  of  sections  of  four,  the  small  space  between 
the  road  and  the  river,  for  the  purpose  of  seizing 
the  enemy's  artillery  ;  and  some  ten  or  twelve  friend* 
]y  Indians  were  directed  to  move  under  the  bank*. 
The  crotchet  formed  by  the  front  line  and  General 
Desha's  division  was  an  important  point.  At  that 
pk  3>  the  venerable  governor  of  Kentucky  was  post- 
ed, who,  at  the  age  of  sixty-six,  preserves  all  the  vi- 
gor of  youth,  the  ardent  zeal  which  distinguished 
him  in  the  revolutionary  war,  and  the  undaunted  bra- 
very which  he  maniiested  at  King's  Mountain.  With 
my  aids-de-camp,  the  acting  assistant  adj.  genera], 
Capt.  Butler,  my  gallant  friend  Com.  Perry,  who 
did  me  the  honour  to  serve  as  my  volunteer  aid-rle- 
camp,  and  Brig.  Gen.  Cass^  who  havitig  no  command, 
tendered  me  his  assistance,  I  placed  myself  at  the 
head  of  the  front  line  of  infantry,  to  direct  the  move- 
ments of  the  cavalry,  and  give  them  the  necessary 
support.    The  army  had  moved  on  in  this  ordec  hut 


!t, 


'(( 


-     iA 


138 


BiSTOUy   OF  THE   WAB. 


a  &hoi*t  distance,  when  the  mounted  men  received  the 
fire  of  the  British  line,  and  were  ordered  to  charge  ^ 
the  horses  in  the  front  of  the  column  recoiled  from 
the  fire  ;  another  was  given  by  the  eneniy,  and  our 
colunn,  at  length  getting  in  motion,  broke  through 
the  enemy  with   irresistible  force.    In  one  minute, 
the  contest  in  front  was  over ;  the  British  officers, 
seeing  no  hopes  of  reducing  their  disordered  ranks 
to  oixler,  and  our  mounted  men  wheeling  upon  them, 
and  pouring  in  a  destructive  fire,  immediately  sur- 
rendered.    It  is  certain  that  3  only  of  our  troops  were 
wouoded  in  this  charge.     Upon  the  left,  however, the 
contest  was  more  severe  with  the  Indians.     Colonel 
Jolinson,  who  commanded  on  that  flank  of  his  regi- 
ment, received  a  most  galling  fire  from  them,  which 
was  returned  with  great  effect.     The  Induns,  still 
further  to  the   right,^  advanced,  and  fell  m  with  our 
front  line  of  infantry,  near  its  junction  with  Desha's 
division,  and,  for  a  moment,  made  an  impression  ou 
it.      His    excellency    Governor    Shelby,    however, 
brought  up  a  regiment  to  its  support,  and  the  enemy, 
receiving  a  severe  fire  in  front,  and  a  part  of  John- 
son's regiment  having  gained  '  their  rear,  retreated 
with  precipitation." 

The  active  Indian  Chief  Tecuniscli,  aOer 
evincing  great  resolution,  a::d  continuing  to  fight 
although  being  badly  wounded^  fell,  while  di- 
recting a  deadly  aim  at  Col.  Johnson.  Hie  in- 
Yincible  courage  of  the  colonel,  and  his  great 
presence  of  mind,  saved  his  own  valuable  life, 
and  put  an  end  to  that  of  an  irreconeileable  foe. 
AVhllc  the  sanguinary  Tecumseh  \vas  aiming  at 
the  colonel,  the  latter*  although  wounded  in  se- 
veral parts,  and  much  exhausted,  discharged  his 
pistol  with  great  eoolness,  and  brought  the  fe- 
rocious savage  to  the  earth,  where  he  was  found 
dead.  The  American  Joss  amounted  tc  7  killed 
snd  22.  wounded  5  the  British  losa  was  12  kilkdj^ 


♦  l>  f 


UISTOBT  OT  THE  1¥AB. 


129 


W 


%%  wounded,  and  601  regulars  taken  prisoners. 
The  Indians,  from  the  best  information,  suffered 
severely,  SS  of  them  were  found  dead  on  the 
field.  Six  brass  pieces  of  artillery,  and  two  iron 
24  launders,  and^a  large  quantity  of  small  arms, 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  victors.  Every  Ameri- 
can will  be  pleased  to  learn,  that  among  the 
iield  pieces,  were  three,  whieh  were  taken  from 
the  British  during  the  revolutionary  war,  bearing 
the  motto  «  «utTendered  5i/  tiurgoyne  at  SaratO' 
ga**  and  lately  surrendered  to  the  enemy  by 
General  Hull.  Major-General  Proctor,  who 
commanded  the  enemy's  forces,  escaped  with 
difficulty,  accompanied  by  about  50  persons,  con- 
sisting chiefly  of  o0icers  of  the  army. 

After  this  total  defeat  of  the  enemy,  the  mili- 
tia were  discharged,  and  Gen.  Harrison,  with 
his  disposable  regular  force,  accompanied  by  Com. 
Perry,  arrived  at  Presque-isle,  on  the  22d  Oeto- 
ber,  from  Detroit ;  from  whence  he  sailed  for 
Slack  Reck,  with  a  view  to  eo-opcrate  nitu  the 
army  there,  or  at  Sackett's  Harbour.  By  this 
excursion,  he,  in  the  short  space  of  less  than  a 
month,  recovered  the  territory  of  Michigan,  pun- 
ished and  forced  into  peace,  the  numerous 
hordes  of  savages,  captured  a  British  regular  ar« 
my,  brought  security  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
north  western  frontier  of  the  United  States,  and 
marched  triumphantly  through  a  great  portion  of 
the  Upper  Province  of  Canada.  Gen.  Cass  wa» 
left  in  the  provisional  government  of  Michigan 
territory. 

The  instances  of  successful  bravery,  which  had 
hitherto  been  frequent,  were  in  a  manner,  eclips- 
ed by  the  following: 

Major  George  Croghan,  in  t)»e  22d  year  of 
bis  age,  was  left^  by  Gen.  Harrispn^  in  command 


V'W 


V-: 


'i  /    'i 


m. 


I' ;  '->% 


ISO 


HISTORY  01  THE   WAV. 


Gen.  Harrison*! 


of  100  mcH)  and  with  one  six-pounderi  ut  Fort 
Stephenson^  (Lower  Sandusky .} 

In  the  course  of  two  weekt»  there  had  been 
■0  fewer  than  ten  rencounters ;  in  one  of  which, 
the  enemy  carried  a  block- house  at  Fort  Madi- 
son  on  the  10th  July>  from  which  they  attack, 
cd  tho  fort,  but  witliout  success.  Four  men 
were  butchered  in  the  block-house. 

It  would  appear,  that  it  was 
intention,  not  to  expose  the  small  force  at  Fort 
Stephenson,  to  be  cut  off  by  an  enemy  very  su- 
perior  in  numbers ;  and  the  m'tjor  was,  for  a 
short  time,  superceded  in  the  command,  in  con- 
sequence of  disobeying  an  order  to  burn  and 
evacuate  the  fort ;  but,  on  his  arrival  at  head, 
quarters  of  the  general,  he  gave  such  satisfac. 
tory  evidence  of  bis  ability  to  maintain  the  post, 
that  he  was  immediately  sent  back  with  direo* 
tions  to  resume  the  command. 
'  On  the  evening  of  the  1st  August,  the  British 
and  Indians,  who  had  come  up  the  Sandusky 
river,  from  the  bay,  commenced  from  their 
boats  a  heavy  cannonading  upon  the  fort,  and 
threw  in  a  great  number  of  shells  from  their 
bomb  batteries.  The  enemy  continued  his  op. 
erations  without  success  until  the  evening  of 
the  2d,  when,  after  throwing  a  great  number  of 
balls  from  a  six- pounder,  at  the  norlh-west  an* 
gle  of  the  fort,  for  the  purpose  of  making  a 
breach,  a  column,  under  command  of  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel  Short,  advanced  to  the  point  on  which 
the  artillery  had  been  played,  with  intention  of 
storming,  but  the  judicious  manap;ement  of  Ma- 
jor Croghan,  foiled  the  enemy  in  his  attempt. 
The  ditch*  which  surrounded  the  works,  was 
about  eight  feet  wide,  and  of  equal  dt>pth-<-lliis 
tbo  enemy  had  to  enter  before  they  could  ap« 


HIST01IT  OV  THB  WAV, 


ISI 


proaeh  the  pickets :  (through  the  top  of  each, 
a  bayonet  y/ah  driven  in  a  horizontal  directioit,) 
while  in   this  situation,  the  six-poumler,  which 
was  masked  in  a  block-house,  and  a  ravine  ad- 
jacent, poured  upon  the  storming  colnmn  a  tre- 
mendous Mhower  of  musket  balls,  whieh  did  ter- 
rible execution,  and  so  confounded  the  aMsail- 
ants,  that  Lieut.  Colonel  Short,  who  had  pre- 
viously ordered  his  men  to  **  scale  the  pickets, 
and  sho>v  the  damned  Yankee  rascals  no  quar- 
tern,** exhibited  a  white  handkerchief  as  a  sig- 
nal of  distress,  evincing  his  disposition  to  have 
quarters  given  him,  after  he   had   proclaimed 
that  the  garrison  should  be  massacred,    it  was, 
however,  too  late — the   next  discharge  proved 
fatal — he  fell— and  Lieut.   Gordon  of  the  29th 
regiment,  died  by  his  side.     This  was  near  two 
hours  before    sun- set.      '^rhe    tii^ing    from   the 
block-house  was  principally  directed  at  the  en- 
emy who  had  taken   refuge  in  the  direction  of 
the  ravine — the  slaughter  there  was  immense, 
and  Gen*  Proctor 9  who  commanded  in  person, 
ordered  the  allied  enemy   to   retreat   to  their 
boats.    The  greater  part  of  the  night  was  oc- 
cupied in  carrying  off  the  dead  and  wounded— 
from  the   number  of  trails    discovered  in  the 
grass,  it  is  evident  that  no  less  than   50  of  the 
dead  were  dragged  away.    About  80  killed,  in- 
cluding the  two  officers   mentioned  above,  were 
left  in  the  ditch  and  ravine — and  30  prisoners, 
IS  severely  wounded,  which  Gen.  Proctor,  in  hh 
hurry,  left  behind,  were  afterwards  brought  in- 
to the  fort.     It  is  a  fact,  worthy  of  obaervati  >i| 
that  not  one  Indian  was  found  among  the  de  td 
although  it  is  known  that   from  3  to  400  were 
present,  under  the  celebrated   Captain  Klliot.— 
The  number  of  British  regulars  was  ^90,  from 


r  WTm 


I,      IK 


.1'. 


1  '^^r! 


m. 


iSt 


inSTOST  OT  THE  VAB* 


the  49th  regiment.  Maior  Crogban  had  but 
Que  man  killed*  and  7  slightly  wounded. 
<  The  Biiitigh  Ioms,  by  their  own  confession, 
amounted  to  yi,  exelu<»ive  of  Indians.  There 
was,  however,  suffieient  evidence  to  justify  the 
belief,  that  it  was  considerably  more. 

When  Uoionel  Elliot  fhsmanded  the  surrender 
of  the  forty  he  stated,  that,  unless  his  demand 
was  pronifitly  acceded  to,  a  general  mctssacre 
would  en,fU€,  And  when  Colonel  Short,  who 
commtonded  the  British  regulars,  destined  to 
storm  the  fort,  had  formed  his  troops  in  a  line 
parallel  with  the  ditch,  he  ordered  them,  in  the 
faearii^  of  our  men,  to  leap  the  ditch,  cut  doi»n 
the  pickets,  and  give  the  Americans  no  quar- 
ters. This  barbarous  order,  which  none  but'  a 
savage  could  give,  was  not,  however,  permit. 'ed 
to  go  unpunished;  for  the  words  were  hardly 
out  of  the  mouth  of  the  British  commander, 
when  the  retributive  justice  of  Providence  ar* 
rested  him ;  and  the  wretch  was  obliged  to  sue 
fur  that  mercy  which  he  had  determined  not  to 
extend  to  others.  It  may  be  observed  here,  in 
honour  of  the  character  of  the  American  sol- 
diers* that  although  their  little  band  were  well 
aware  of  the  fate  which  the  enemy  had  prepared 
for  thenk,  yet*  they  were  no  sooner  subdued, 
than  the  Americans  forgot  the  crimes  of  the  en- 
emy in  their  suiferings ;  and  the  wounded  in  the 
ditch,  whose  groans  and  constant  calls  for  watevt 
were  lieard  by  the  men  in  the  fort,  were  supplied 
with  that  necessary  article,  on  the  night  succeed- 
ing tlie  discomfiture  of  the  enemy,  hy  the  genero- 
sity  of  the  Jimericans,  who,  with  considei^aUt 
hafiard,  ventured  to  risk  their  lives  in  order  to 
alleviate  the  sufferings  of  the  very  men  who  had 
plotted  thdr  entire  destruction* 


HI9T01KT  OF  THE   VTAlU 


The  brevet  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  has  been 
eonferred  by  the  President  of  the  United  States 
on  Major  Croghan. 

llie  ladies  of  Chilticothe  have  presented  hin^ 
with  a  sword,  and  a  flattering  address. 

On  the  3d  of  June,  a  detachment  of  the  ene- 
my* with  a  number  of  gun-boats,  from  Isle- 
Aux-Noix,  succeeded  in  capturing  tlie  U.-  S. 
armed  vessels.  Growler  and  Eagle,  on  Lake 
Champlain,  after  a  well  contested  defence  by 
the  brave  crews  of  these  vessels,  against  a  very 
superior  force.  The  consequence  was,  that  the 
enemy  gained  a  very  decided  superiority  on  the 
lake. 

The  enemy  reckoned  on  success  in  his  future 
operations  in  this  quarter*  not  only  from  his 
own  superior  force*  but  also  from  the  tinprepared 
state  of  the  Americans.  Com.  Maedonough 
had  not  a  sufficient  number  of  seamen  to  man 
his  sloops,  and  would  be  highly  reprehensible 
had  he  been  defeated  in  an  attempt  to  recover 
the  ascendency  on  the  lake.  There  were  no 
troops  stationed  at  Piattsburgh.  While  things 
were  thus  situated,  the  British  flotilla,  consist- 
ing of  2  sloops  of  war,  ^the  Eagle  and  Growler,) 
lately  captured,  S  gun-lioats,  and  ^l  batteaux» 
loaded  with  troops,  sailors,  and  marines,  about 
UdO  in  all,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Murray, 
crossed  the  line  at  Champlain,  on  the  30th  Ju- 
ly, and  entered  Piattsburgh  on  the  following  day. 

On  the  first  information  of  the  approach  of 
the  enemy,  Gen.  Mooers  gave  orders  for  calling 
out  the  militia ;  and  when  the  enemy  arrived, 
about  300  from  Piattsburgh  and  the  neighbour- 
ing towns,  had  collected,  who  retired  back  a  fewr 
miles*  where  they  were  joined  by  the  residue  of 
the  regiment  from  the  county  of  £ssex» 

M 


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f84 


HISTORY  OF  THE   WAB. 


\ 


Ahhougb  the  ofScers  who  had  the  command 
of  the  expedition,  assured  the  civil  nuthorif^'  of 
the  village)  that .  private  pruperiy  should  he  re- 
sjiectedy  and  that  citizens  not  in  arms,  should 
remain  unmolested — ^et  these  promises  were  no 
sooner  made  than  violated  ;  the  enemy,  not  sat- 
islied  with  destroying  the  public  buildings,  such 
as  tlie  biotk-house,  arsenal,  armory,  hospital, 
find  JitUitary  cantonments,  wantonly  burned  two 
store- houses,  belonging  to  Peter  Sailly,  esq. 
and  one  belonging  to  Major  N.  Z.  Piatt — took, 
and  carried  off  several  thousand  dollars  worth 
of  hardware,  belonging  to  Frothinham  &  Co. 
of  Boston,  which  had  been  stored  with  Mr. 
Sailly.  The  destruotion  of  private  property 
was  not  limited  to  such  as  they  could  eat,  drink, 
and  carry  away,  but  furniture,  which  could  not 
be  of  any  use  to  the  plunderers,  was  wantonly 
destroyed — tables,  bureaus,  clocks,  desks,  cup. 
boards,  and  crockery,  were  cut  and  broken  to 
pieces,  and  thrown  ahout  the  houses — bo^oks  and 
writings  were  torn  to  pieces,  and  scattered  about 
the  streets. 

:  The  varTOus  successes  of  the  enemy,  during 
their  short  visit  to  Plattshurgh,  are  described 
by  several  respectable  authorities,  to  be  enor- 
mous, cruel,  and  wanton,  in  a  high  degree.— 
<•  Wnll  was  it,"  says  one  of  the  witnesses  of  the 
scene,  **  for  our  wives,  sisters,  and  daughters, 
that  they  remembered  the  excesses  at  Hampton, 
and  trusted  not  their  persons  to  the  mercy  of  the 
invaders." 

On  Sunday,  the  faithless  ruffians,  the  unprin- 
eipled  invaders,  re^«*mbarked,,a^)d  stood  out  of 
the  bay.  They  took  a  Durham  boat^  loaded 
with  flour^  (tnd  8  aloops;  one  of  which  they  burn- 
ed. '  ^ 


HISTOET  07  lilE  WAR. 


iSft 


On  tncir  return  to  Poirit-au-Roche,  the  crew 
of  one  of  flic  boats  landed,  and  part  went  to  the 
bouse  of  a  Mr.  Williams;  they  found  his  wife 
out  of  the  house ;  two  of  them  went  in,  to  keep 
the  husband  in  check,  while  the  third  attempted 
to  gratify  his  brutal  desires  upon  her.  Her  hus- 
band, hearing  her  screams,  came  to  her  assist- 
ance, and  in  the  struggle,  the  woman  discharged 
the  villain's  gun,  disengaged  the  bayonet  there- 
from, which  she  stuck  twice  into  his  own  back» 
nnd  wounded  him  pretty  severely ;- the  other  two 
fled,  and  Mr.  Williams  and  his  wife  bound  the 
rascal,  and  sent  him  in;  the  inhabitants  on  Point- 
au-Koche,  took  the  skiflT  in  which  they  came,  and 
the  other  soldiers. 

The  United  £>tates'  troops  at  Burlington,  un- 
der command  of  Maj.  Gen.  Hampton,  consisted 
of  about  4000  men.  They  were  under  arms*, 
waiting  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  and  would* 
undoubtedly,  have  defended  their  post  against 
any  attack  they  could  have  made  on  it. 

On  the  3d  August,  the  enemy  appeared  before 
Burlington,  and  fired  into  the  town  for  some 
time*  but  no  considerable  damage  was  done,  fit 
the  evening  of  the  same  day,  a  detachment  pro- 
ceeded to  Shelburne,  4  or  B  miles  south  of  Bur- 
lington, where  they  seized  a  sloop,  with  about 
400  barrels  of  flour.  The  limited  force  under 
Gen.  Hampton,  would  not  justify  his  detaching 
any  part  of  his  troops  from  the  protection  of 
property  and  stores  under  his  immediate  care» 
the  marauding  enemy  wisely  retired  before  re^ 
inforcements  could  have  arrived.       i-  \      ;  v    - 

It  was  the  intention  of  the  U.  S.  governments 
to  make  an  attack  on  Montreal,  before  the  vvin- 
ter  would  put  an  end  to  the  campaign.  The  e^ 
i^eting  of  this  object,  would  (j*ive  to  the  Unilefl 


-...tj 


h 


I 


J80 


HISTOBT  OV  THK  IfAK, 


I 


Stutes  the  entire  command  of  Upper  Canadj^ 
completely  subdue  the  Indians^  regain  the  eonfi» 
dence  of  llie  Canadians,  ^vhich  was  suspended  by 
the  sudden  retreat,  and  subsequent  conduet  of 
Gen.  Ilully  and  make  an  impression  on  the  ene- 
my, which  must  incline  him  to  peace,  on  Just  and 
honourable  terms.  A  large  force  was  ordered 
to  Sackett's  Harbour ;  and  Qen.  Wilkinson,  wh'v 
had  the  chief  command,  was  ordered  to  use  his 
utmost  efibrt,  and  the  greatest  possible  expedi' 
t ion  in  carrying  the  design  into  cfieet. 

On  the  Ist  Nov.  1813,  Gen.  'Wilkinson's  nrmy 
began  its  movements  from  Grenadier-lsland, 
down  the  St.  Lawrence.  They  had  not  proceed- 
ed fiir,  before  the  advanced  corps*  under  General 
Brown,  was  attacked  by  the  enemy,  from  the 
Bhore.  On  returning  the  fire,  the  enemj  dis- 
persed, and  the  army  advanced. 

I'he  movements,  of  the  army  under  General 
Hampton*  were  intended  to  facilitate  those  of 
Gen.  Wilkinson ;  and  both  armies  were  finally  to 
unite,  previous  to  the  attack  on  Montreal.     »> 

The  army  under  Gen.  Hampton,  moved  from 
Chateaugay  on  the  21st  October,  and  arrived 
at  Its  position  at  Sear^s^n  the  22d — thus  hav- 
ing, with  incredible  labour,  surmounted  24>  miles 
of  the  most  difficult  part  of  the  route,  through 
the  extensive  and  almost  impassable  forest, 
which  bounds  the  Canada  line.  After  4  or  5 
miles  of  open  country,  another  forest  of  6  or  7 
miles  was  opposed  to  their  march,  (which  was  on 
the  noilh-west  side  of  the  river.)  This  the  en- 
emy had  made  almost  an  entire  fortifit-ation.  by 
crossing  it  with  felled  trees,  interspersed  with 
hreast-works  and  ditches:  through  these  ob- 
structions, the  enemy  was  to  be  assailed — a  part 
of  their  forees^  consisting  of  light  troops  and 


1^ 


BlSTOST  OV  THE  WAR. 


isy 


indianS)  were  posted  in  these  defences^  while  the 
main  body,  commanded  by  Sir  George  Prevost» 
in  person,  was  lodged  in  the  rear,  fortified  with 
batteries  and  cannon.  The  hardships  the  A  me- 
,  rican  army  had  endured,  the  continual  rains  that 
were  falling,  and  the  obstructions  in  front,  would 
have  damped  the  ardour  of  troops  less  disposed 
to  disregard  all  sufi^rings  and.  perils  in  pursuit 
of  glory,  and  in  the  servipe  of  their  country — 
but  on  the  contrary,  partaking  largely  of  th& 
spirit  which  inspired  their  commander  in  chiefs 
e^ery  individual  seemed  uncommonly  emulous  of 
the  enterprise. 

It  was  believed  that  the  obstructions  eould 
not  be  forced  by  the  maiti  body,  without  great. 
loss.  To  avoid  this,  the  light  companies,  and  a 
regiment  of  infantry,  were  detfteheJ  at  dark» 
on  the  evening  of  the  25th,  to  proceed  on  the 
opposite  (S.  £.)  side  of  the  river,  to  a  fording 
place,  below  the  enemy's  advance,  which  they 
were  to  cross,  and  attack  the  enemy  in  flank 
and  rear,  while  the  main  body  should  attack  ia 
front;  and  thus  destroy ^t he  enemy's  defence 
at  a  blow.  Owing  to  the  darkness  ef  the  night*, 
incessant  rain,  and  the  diflieulties  of  the  woud$ 
tlie  guide  who  conducted  this  detachment  hav- 
ing lost  his  way,  the  party  did  riot  arrive  at  the 
proposed  point.  The  battalion  of  the  tOth  re- 
giment, consisting  of  about  200  men,  were,  at 
the  appointed  time,  CS  oVIock,  P.  M.  on  the  26th) 
at  the  entrance  of  tne  obstructed  wood,  waiting; 
the  attack  of  the  troops  on  the  enem,v*s  flank,, 
which  was  to  be  the  signal  for  them  to  advance* 
At  this  moment,  the  enemy  commenced  a  Are- 
en  this  battalion,  who  promptly  refumfd  it^ 
then  charged  and  drove  the  enemy  from  thi^ip 
huking  places^  dis|K^rsing  them  entirely,,  audi 


if''     »l 


i>58 


HISTOBT  OF  THE   VlJLR, 


\ 


lilenciDg  their  fire ;  in  this  the  Americans  had 
•nly  one  ipan  killed^  and  some  3  or  4  ivounded. 
At.  this  moment,  the  firing  commenced  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river,  with  some  of  theJight 
eompanies,  and  it  was  here,  and  not  in  either 
of  the  main  divisions  of  the  army,  that  any  se- 
rious loss,  or  the  least  confusion  occurred ;  the 
enemy  was,  however,  soon  dispersed  in  this 
quarter  also.  After  waiting  some  time  for  the 
renewal  of  the  enemy's  attack,  the  main  body 
of  the  American  army  fell  back  slowly,  and  in 
good  order,  the  enemy  not  daring  to  show 
themselves,  or  in  the  least  to  intermpf  their 
mareh,  to  a  position  4  miles  from  the  plaee  of 
action.  Here  they  were  shortly  after  joined  hy 
the  detached  party,  who  bad  had  some  further 
skirmishing  with  the  enemy  of  no  great  account. 
At  this  place  they  remained  several  days,  with- 
out i*eceivlng  Ihe  least  molestation.  The  only 
failure  of  the  expedition,  is  attributable  to  the 
miscarriage  of  the  guide,  which  disconoerted  a 
plan,  that  otherwise  must  have  led  to  the  cap- 
ture of  a  considerable  portion  of  the  enemy's 
force,  and  the  complete  destruction  of  his  plan 
of  defence. 

The  American  aetual  total  loss,  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing,  did  not  exceed  36  men. 
The  whole  American  force  engaged,  did  not  ex- 
teed  225  men  on  the  side  where  the  greatest 
force  of  the  enemy  were  opposed— the  other  re- 
l^iments  did  not  arrive  until  the  moment  when 
the  enemy  were  retiring,  and  were  only  formed^ 
and  in  line,  but  took  no  part  in  the  engage- 
ment. 

Colonel  Purdy,  who  commanded  the  detach* 
ment  which  fought  this  battle,  in  his  report  to 
C^-en.  WUkinsoD^  is  very  free  in  his  censure  tf 


UIBTOBT  OF  THE   VfAJU 


1st 


Gen.  Hampton.  «  Incrcclible,"  says  the  co1onel» 
•<  as  -it  may  appear*  Gen.  Hampton  entrusted 
nearly  one  half  of  his  army,  and  those  his  best 
troops,  to  the  guidance  of  men,  each  of  whom 
repeatedly  assured  him,  that  they  were  not  ao« 
quaint«d  with  the  country,  and  were  not  compe- 
tent to  direct  such'  an  expedition." 

«  Towards  sun-down,''  says  the  eolonel,  « I 
sent  Gen.  Hampton  a  request,  that  a  regiment 
might  be  ordered  down  to  cover  my  landing  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river ;  but.  judge  my 
surprise,  on  receiving  intelligence  that  he  had 
retreated  with  the  second  brigade^  nearly  three 
miles." 

«  Never,  to  my  knowledge,"  says  the  colonel, 
in  another  part  of  his  despatch,  *•  during  our 
march  into  Canada,  and  while  we  remained  at 
the  Four  Corners,  a  term  of  26  days,  did  Gen. 
Hampton  evr  send  oiTa  scouting  or  reconnoitre- 
ing  party,  (except  in  one  or  two  cases  at  Spears% 
in  Canada,  when  he  detached  a  few  dragoons 
for  this  duty,)  nor  did  he,  from  the  time  we  com- 
menced our  march  ft'om  Cumberland  Head,  to 
our  arrival  at  Piattsburgh,  ever  order  a  front 
flank,  or  rear  guard,  to  be  kept  up,  though  a 
great  part  of  the  time  we  were  in  situations 
which  evidently  required  it.  True  it  is,  these 
guards  were  occasionally  sent  out,  not,  however^ 
by  his  order,  but  by  the  orders  of  the  officers 
«ommanding  brigades." 

The  colonel  wmds  up  his  charges  against  Gen. 
Hampton,  by  saying,  <•  Such  has  been  tlie  gen»« 
raPs  conduct,  on  some  occasions,  that  I  have^ 
in  common  with  other  officers,  been  induced  td 
believe,  that  he  was  under  the  influence  of  a  too 
free  use  of  spiritous  liquors." 

Ills  official  aceottnt  of  tbig  a«tioii>  t^  tbf 


%  ■  I 


'*. . 


:f     (<■ 


/ 


li 


! 


140 


BI8T0BY   Of  THE   WAB* 


\ 


British  General  Baynes,  is  Tery  different  from 
the  abovc»  but  so  improbable  and  wide  from  the 
truth»  thai  it  may,  wilh  much  safety,  be  averred, 
that  it  did  not  meet  belief  from  a  single  reader 
of  any  party. 

.  As  soon  as  General  Wilkinson  fmssed  Kings- 
ton, and  that  it  became  evident,  ho  must  have 
designed  the  taking  of  Montreal,  the  troops 
which  were  stationed  for  the  defence  of  Kings- 
ton, were  employed  in  annoying  and  delating 
the  progress  of  the  American  army.  **  The 
corps  of  the  enemy,"  says  Gen.  Wilkinson,  iq 
his  official  report  to  the  secretary  of  war,  <*  from 
Kingston,  which  followed  me,  hung  on  my  rear, 
and  in  concert  with  a  heavy  galley,  and  a  few 
gun-boats,  seemed  determined  to  retard  my 
progress.  I  was  strongly  tempted  to  halt,  turn 
abo%t,  and  put  an  end  to  his  teasing;  but  alas! 
I  was  confined  to  my  bed ;  Maj.  Gen.  Lewis 
was  too  ill  for  any  active  exeriions;  and  above 
&11,  I  did  not  dare  suffer  myself  to  *be  diverted  a 
single  day  fi  oui  the  prosecution  of  the  views  of 
government." 

On  the  10th,  about  noon,  Gen.  flrown,  who 
was  with  hint  command  in  front,  and  some  dis- 
tance below  the  main  body  of  the  army,  was  en- 
gaged with  the  enemy,  nt  the  moment  when  a 
strong  party  of  the  enemy  advanced  on  the  rear 
of  Gen.  Wilkinsob,  with  several  gallies  and  gun- 
boats; from  whence  they  commenced  a  fire, 
but  were  soon  compelled  to  retire  from  the  fire 
of  a  battery  of  18  pounders,  pianted  on  the  oc- 
casion. Wi]kinson*8  army  came  to  for  the 
night,  a  short  disti^nce  above  the  Longue  Saut ; 
it  was  intended  to  pass  it  that  day,  but  the  de- 
lays occasioned  by  dis-emburking.  and  re-em- 
luirkiog  heavy  g:uns^  prevQaied  the  armj^  fruuk 


niSTOKT  97  THE  VIklU 


±%i 


veacliing  the  Saut  at  e'^  ly  as  expected;  and 
the  pilots  would  not  dai-e  Winter  the  Saut»  Qa  ra- 
pid of  8  miles,)  at  a  late  hour*    At  10  (rclook 
the  following  day,  Gen.  WilkuiD.n  received  ad- 
vice, that  Gen.  Brown,  having  forced  the  ene- 
my, would  arrive  at  the  foot  of  the  Saut  early 
jD  the  day.     Orders  were  immediately  given 
for  the  flotilla  to  sail,  at  which  moment,  the  en- 
emy's gun-boats  appeared,  and  began  to  throw 
shells  among  the   American  flotilla.      General 
'Wilkinson,  calculating  from  reports  and  appear- 
ances, that  the  enemy  only  looked  for  a  fa- 
vourable opportunity  for  attack,  had  determined 
to  anticipate  him.    <«  Direetions,"  says  General 
Wilkinson,   •<  were   accordingly  sent,  by   that 
distinguished  officer.  Col.  Swift  of  the  engineers^ 
to  Brig.  Gen.  Boyd,  to  throw  the  detachments  of 
his  command,  assigned  to  him  in  the  order  of 
the  preceding  day,  and  composed  of  men  of  his 
own.    Covington's  and  Swartwout's  brigades,  in- 
to 3  eolunms,  to  march   upon  the  enemy,  but- 
flank  him  if  possible,,  and  take  his  artillery* 
The  action  soon  after  commenced  with  the  ad- 
vanced body  of  the  enemy,  and  became  extreme- 
ly sharp  and  galling,  anu,  with  occasional  pau- 
ses, not  sustained  with  great  vivacity,  in  open 
space,  and  fair  combat*  for  upwards  of  two  and 
a  half  hours — the   adverse    lines    alternately 
yielding  and  advancing.    It  is  impossible  to  say^ 
with  accuracy,   what  was  our  number  on  the 
field,  because  it  consisted  of  indefinite  detach- 
ments taken  from  the  boats,  to  render  safe  the 
passage  of   the   Saut.      Gens.   Coving! on   and 
Swartwout,  voluntarily  took  part  in  tbe  action^ 
at  the  head  of  detachments*  from  their  respec- 
|tive  brigades,  and  exhibited  the  same  courage 
that  was  displayed  by  Brig.  Gen.  Boyd,  who  hap'^ 


i 


■-     Ik 


1! 


:,,'.*l'- 


y 


i45S 


HlBTOaT  07  THE  WAH. 


<     A 


pened  to  be  the  senior  oflSeer  on  the  ground.— 
Our  f  jrce  engaged  might  have  readied  16  ov 
1700  men»  but  actually  did  not  exceed  1800; 
that  of  the  e^icmy  was  estimated  from  1:200  (o 
2,000t  but  did  not  probably  amount  to  more  than 
15  or  1600 — consisting*  as  1  am  informed,  of 
detachments  from  the  49th,  84tTi,  and  104)th  re. 
giments  of  the  line,  with  <hree  companies  of  the 
Voltigeur  and  Glengary  corps,  and  the  militia 
of  the  country,  who  are  not  included  in  the  es* 
timate." 

This  battle  (the  battle  of  Williamsburgh,)  mt 
contested  with  a  courage  and  obstinacy,  that 
perhaps  had  no  parallel.  To  witness  undisci- 
plined troops,  and  inexperienced  officers,  siibsti- 
t\itine  courage  and  patriotism  in  place  of  inill< 
tary  knowledge ;  and  thus  opposed,  for  3  hours, 
^o  a  regular  army,  was  a  sight  on  which  tlie 
guardian  angel  of  America,  must  have  looked 
with  exulting  gratification.  Amidst  a  shower 
of  musketry  and  iShrapnel-shells,  the  brave 
Americans,  insensible  to  fear,  dashed  into  the 
ranks  of  the  enemy,  whose  position  was  strength. 
ened  by  ravines  and  thickets.  -  The  enemy  re* 
tired  for  more  than  a  mile  before  the  resolute 
and  repeated  charges.  The  brigade,  first  en- 
gaged, had  expended  its  animunition,  and  was 
compelled  to  retire,  in  order  to  procure  a  sup- 
ply. This  movement  so  disconcerted  the  line, 
as  to  render  it  expedient  for  another  brigade  to 
retire.  The  artillery,  owing  to  the  nature  of| 
the  ground,  could  not  be  brought  up  until  after 
this  event.  The  fire  from  the  artillery  was  ve- 
ry destructive  to  the  ^nemy ;  but  when  direct- 
ed to  retire,  in  passing  a  deep  ravine,  one  piece  | 
was  lost^  but  jQOt  until  after  tho  fail  of  its  galr 


I'lii    I  i't-f  'i   in- iiM^Bi 


IllSTORT  07  THE  WAB. 


U5 


Jant  commandeis  Lieutenant  Smithy  and  most  of 
his  men. 

The  whole  of  the  line  was  re-formed  on  the 
borders  of  those  woods  from  which  the  euemy 
had  first  been  drivent  when  night  coming  on, 
and  the  storm  continuing  and  the  object  of  at- 
tack having  been  fuil^  accomplinhedt  the  troops 
nvere  directed  to  return  to  ,lhe  giound  near  the 
flotilla,  which  movement  was  executed  in  good 
order*  and  without  an^  interruption  from  the 
eiu^my. 

General  Covington  received  a  mortal  wounds 
while  leading  his  men  to  a  succt'sst'ul  charge.— 
Colonel  Preston  was  severeljr  wounded,  while 
fighting  at  the  head  of  his  regiment.  Major 
Cumin>ngs  received  a  severe  wound,  while  mak- 
inj^  a  charge,  but  ;^et  continued  to  fight  until 
exhausteii  by  the  loss  of  blood.  Geneial  Bo}d 
has  taken  partii'.ilar  notice,  in  his  official  des- 
patch, of  the  merits  of  Brig.  Gen.  Swartwout ; 
Colonels  Cotes,  Walback,  Johnson,  Pierce^ 
Gaines.  Ripli'j,  and  A.spinwall ;  Majors  Morgan, 
Cratlton*  Gardner,  Beebe  and  Chambers ;  Lieu- 
tenants Henry,  Whiting,  and  Worth,  llie  gen- 
eral concludes  his  report  in  the  following  words ; 
«  Permit  me  now  to  add,  sir,  that  though  the 
result  of  this  action  was  not  so  brilliant  and  de- 
cisive as  I  could  have  wished,  and  the  first  sta. 
ges  of  it  seemed  to  promise,  yet,  when'  it  is  re- 
collected, that  the  troops  bad  been  long  expos- 
ed to  hard  privations  and  fatigues,  to  inclement 
storms,  from  which  they  could  have  no  shelter ; 
that  the  enemy  were  superior  to  us  in  numbers, 
and  greatly  superior  in  {>osition,  and  supported 
by  7  or  8  heav^  goii-boats ;  that  the  action  be- 
ingv  unexpected,  was  necessarily  commenced, 
vithout  much  concert;  that  we  were,  by  una- 


lit 


i44 


nisTomT  ov  the  vaii. 


voidable  ciroumstancesy  long  deprived  of  our 
artillery ;  and  that  the  action  y/M  warmly  and 
obstinately  contested  for  more  than  three  hours, 
during  whit  h  there  were  hut  a  few  short  cessa* 
tiuns  uf  musketry  and  lannon  ;  when  all  these 
circumstances  are  recollecte<l«  p<*rhaps  this  day 
may  be  thought  to  have  added  some  reputation 
to  the  American  arms.  And  if,  on  this  occa* 
8!oii,  you  sh<'  II  believe  me  to  have  done  my  (lui,v, 
and  accomplished  any  one  of  your  purposes,! 
shall  be  satisfied  " 

Aftt'r  this  engagement,  the  troops  proceeded 
down  the  river  without  further  annoyance  from 
the  enemy  or  their  gunboats,  while  thei  dia- 
goons,  with  6%h  pieces  of  artillery,  marclied 
down  the  Canada  shore  without  niorestaiion.— 
The  next  morning  the  flotilla  passed  througii 
the  Sautj.  and  jointd  Gen.  Brown,  near  CorO' 
ivall. 

On  the  arrival  of  General  Wilkinson  with 
General  Prown,  he  learned  that  General  fJamp' 
ton,  instead  of  meeting  him  near  that  place,  was 
marching  towards  Lake  Champlain.  The  letter 
of  General  Hampton,  announcing  this  unexpect- 
ed movement,  together  with  a  copy  of  that  to 
ivbich  it  was  an  answer,  were  immediately  sub* 
mitted  to  a  couneil  of  war,  who  unanimouslj 
gave  it,  as  their  opinion,  <*  that  the  attack 
on  Montreal  should  be  abandoned  for  the  pre- 
sent season,  and  the  army  near  Cornwall  should 
be  immediately  crossed  to  the  American  shore, 
for  taking  up  winter  quarters,  and  that  this 
place  afforded  an  eligible  position  for  such  quar- 
ters." 

Thus  ended  the  campaign,  and  an  expedition 
\^hieh  seemed,  in  every  respect^  well  calculated 
to  effect  Its  object. 


■^t. 

A 


HISTORY  or  THE   WAR. 


146 


b< 


General  Wilkinson;  who  a((ribu(H  the  fai. 
lure  of  tliis  exoedilion  to  •<  the  extraoitlintirv, 
unexampled,  ami  it  appears,  un  warrant  able  oon* 
duet  of  Major-General  Hauipton*  in  refusing  to 
join  this  army,  with  a  division  of  4000  nit^n,  un- 
der his  command,  agreeable  to  orders.*'  in  a  let- 
ter to  the  secretary  of  war,  of  15th  November* 
mrrites— 

«<  It  is  a  fact,  for  which  I  am  antliorised  to 
pledge  myself,  pn  the  most  confidential  author- 
t^,  thai  on  the  '4th  of  the  present  month,  the 
British  garrison  of  Montreal,  consisted  snieiy 
of  400  marines,  and  200  sailors,  which  had  been 
sent  up  from  Quebec.  We  have,  with  the  pro- 
vision here,  and  tiiat  left  at  Chateaugay,  about 
40  day*8  subsistence,  to  which  I  shall  add   36 


>» 


more 

In  a  letter  of  the  17th  November*  Oen.  Wil- 
kinson writes —  ..ff    *        .     I  >  it 

<(4fter  what  had  passed  between  us,  you  can 
perhaps,  conceive  my  amazement  and  chargrin* 
at  the  conduct  of  Major-General  Hampton.  The 
game  was  in  view,  and,  had  he  performed  the 
I  junction  directed,  would  have  boon  ours  in  eight 
days.  But  he  chose  to  recede  in  order  to  co- 
operate, and  jny  dawning  hopes,  and  the  hopes 
and  honour  of  the  army,  were  blasted." 

The  loss  at  the  battle  of  Williamshur^h,  in 

I  Upper  Canada/  consisted  of  102    kill<*d,    389 

woanded,  ioi'luding  officers.     The  enoiny^s   :  hs 

was  represented,  by  authority  worthy  of  credit* 

to  exceed  500  in  killed  and  wounded.      i .  i  jM     . 

[Statement  of  the  strength  of  the  enemy,  in  the  ac« 

lion  of  the  lUh  November,  1813,  on  Kesler's  fitrld, 

in  Williamshurgh,  in  Upper  Canada— founded  on 

the  separate   escamination  of  a  number  of  fihtisk 

prisoners  taken  on  the  field  of  bcUUe. 

•*  it'  '  ■•....,     ' ,  ■ 


1-.S 


146 


HISTORY  OV  THE   VAB. 


, 'Of  the  89th  regiment, 

49th     do. 
Voltigeur's, 
Cilengary's, 
Of  the  100th,  .; 

Canadian  Fencibles, 
Indians, 
Incorporated  Militia, 


,-  ■* 


760 
450 

2ro 

80  one  company. 
40  a  detachment  from 
Prescott. 

320 
40       ^  .  s 

300  , ; 

2160 
Four  pieces  of  mounted  artillery,  and  7  gun-boats-., 
one  mounting  a  24  pounder. 

After  the  troops  went  into  \vinter  quarte;rs,  a 
placard  was  dintrihuted  in  the  Auierican  eUmp, 
of  which  the  following  is  a  copy.   . 

«  To  the  American  Army  at  Salmon  River, 
NOTICE.— All  American  soldiers  who  are  willing 
to  quit  the  unnatural  war  in  which  they  are  at  present 
engaged,  will  receive^  at  the  British  out-posts,  the 
arrears  due  to  them  by  the  American  government?  to 
the  extent  of  five  month's  pay.  No  man  sl^U  be  re« 
quired  to  serve  against  his  own  country.**     ,/       / 

This  produced  no  desertions,  nor  any  oiher 
effect,  except  contempt  of  the  wretched  author 
of  the  placard. 

A  very  handsome  affair  was  exe^cuted  the  12th 
October,  by  a  party  of  men,  under  comniand  of 
Col.  Isaac  Clark.  The  Colonel,  with  his  party, 
left  Ch^zy  landing,  so  as  to  arrive  at  Massas- 1 
quoi-bay  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning.  He 
arrived  unperceived  within  a  few  rods  of  the 
enemy,  who  were  drawn  up  in  order  of  battle, 
by  their  commander,  Major  Powel.  The  en- 
emy eommeneed  a  fire  on  the  left  flank,  but  in 
ten  minutes  after  the  first  attack,  they  laid 
down  their  arms,  and  surrendered  themselves 
prisoners  of  war. 


"■      »i 


HISTOBT   OS  THE   VAR. 


147 


Col.  Clark  despatched  Capt.  Fincli,  Avitli  his 
Qompanyy  to  reconnoitre  the  course  of  a  body  of 
about  200  men,  who  were  supposed  to  be  ad» 
yaiioing  against  him.  Capt.  Fineh  proceeded 
with  such  promptness  and  ability,  as  to  surprise 
and  capture  the  advanced  guard,  consisting  of 
oavalry,  except  one  man,  who  fled,  and,  giving 
the  information,  the  enemy  escaped. 

The  prisoners  vcre  then  put  on  board  boats, 
and  sent  to  Burlington,  i  *    '  '"    '  '     • 

The  whole  American  force  engi  gcd  was  102. 
The  number  of  prisoners  taken  was  101 ;  the 
killed  and  wounded  of  the  .enemy,  22$. 

The.  success  of  this  exitedition  was  materially 
aided  by  a  knowledge  of  the  country,  into  which 
he  matched,  which  a  commander  of  aq  expedition 
should  always  be  full  master  of.         '  ^  «' 

Thc.fuUowihg  gallant  action  will  be  best  de- 
tailed by  giving  the^  oflioial  report  which  was 
made^  in  the  following  words : 

«  char  leaf  on,  (S.  C  J  August  3  U  1813.  * 

Sir*-1  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  the  pri- 
vateer schooner  Decatur,  of  this  port,  arrived  here 
yesterday,  with  H.  B.  Mi.  schooner  Dominico,  hsr 
prize.  She  was  captured  on  the  $th  inst.  after  a  most 
gallant  and  desperate  action  of  one  hour,  and  carried 
by  boarding,  having  all  her  oflicers  killed  or  wound- 
ed, except  one  midshipman.  The  Dominico  mounts 
}5  guns,  one  a  32  pounder,  on  a  pivot,  and'  had  a  com- 
plement of  &3  men  at  the  commencement  of  the  ac- 
tion, 6a  of  whom  were  killed  or  wounded.  She  was 
one  of  the  best  equipped  and  manned  vessels  of  her 
class  I  have  ever  seen.  The  Decatur  mounts  ?  guns, 
and  had  a  complementof  103  men  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  action,  nineteen  of  whom  were  killed 
and  wounded.  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great 
respect,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  H.  DENT. 
Hon.  Wm.  Jones,  Secretary  of  the  Navy." 


i: 


\i\ 


.(I 


■r,i  ^ 


^8 


'  .  I»       ■^:t  ■■  r  , 


laiSTORT  OF  THE  WAlft. 


' 


ft 


During  the  combat*  wliich  lasted  an  hoar,  th« 
king's  packet  ship,  Princess  Charlotte,  remained 
a  siletii  opec'tiitor  of'  the  scene,  and  as  soon  a9 
tlie  vessels  were  c1isengagt>d  from  each  other, 
she  taelied  about,  a^d  stood  to  the  southivard. 
She  h'ad  sailed  from  St.  Thomas,  bound  lo  Eng. 
land,  under  convo}",  to  a  certain  latitude,  of  the 
Dominieo. 

The  loss  on  board  the  Dominico  consisted  of 
13  killed  and  47  wounded;  five  of  whom  mortally, 

<)n  the  14th  of  this  month,  (August,  1813,) 
the  U.  S.  brig  Argus  was  captured  by  the  Bri. 
tii^h  sloop  of  war  Pelican.  The  Argus  sailed 
fi'oni  New-Yockr  the  21st  June,  for  France,  tand 
arrived  at  Le  Orient,  after  a  passage  of  23  days^ 
where  $lr.  Crawford,  minister  from  the  United 
States,  to  the  court  of  France,  landed.  From 
Le  Orient,  the  Aigus  sailed,  on  a  cruise,  in  the 
British  channel,  where  she  fell  in  with  the  Bri- 
tish sloop  Pelican,  fitted  out  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  the  Argus.  The  action  was  well  sup- 
ported by  the  Americans  for  40  minutes,  when 
the  enemy  succeeded  in  capturing  the  Argus, 
by  boarding.  The  number  of  killed  and  wound- 
ed on  board  the  American  will  best  explain  the 
bravery  with  which  the  ship  was  defended,  a- 
gainst  a  vessel,  which  the  British  editors  ac- 
knowledged to  be  superior  in  size  and  arma- 
ment. Killed,  on  board  the  Argus,  %  midship- 
men, 4  seamen;  wounded,  mortally,  Capt.  Wm. 
H.  Allen,  commander,  1  carpenter,  1  boatswain's 
mate,  1  seaman ;  wounded,  severely,  Lieut.  liVat- 
son,  1  quarter- master,  3  seamen,  1  carpenter's 
mate  ;  wounded,  slightly,  8  ;  total,  24. 

\\'hen  Captain  x%llen  was  removing  out  of  the 
Argus,  to  he  conveyec'  to  the  hospital,  he  ex- 
elaimed — *<  God  Ws^  you,  my  lads,  rve  shall  ne* 
Tjtr  meet  again.'* 


*      nfSTOBr  OF  TOE  VfAJR, 


ur 


The  Argu»,  previous  to  lier  capture,  bad  ta- 
ken and  deHtroyed  21  sail  of  British  vessels. 

The  following  statement  'will  show  the  force 
of  the  two  vessels. 

Jlrgus — 16  24  pound:  carronades,  2  longO's— . 
burthen  298  tons«  94  men  fit  for  duty,  5  siek» 
the  rest  absent  in  prizes. 

Pelican — 22  32  pound  carronades,  2  long  9*8^ 
and  2  swivels — burthen  B8^  tons»  179  men,  11 
of  them  volunteers  for  the  occasion*  from  ships 
at  Cork. 

On  the  5th  September,  the  U.  S.  brig  EntfV' 
imziCt  William  Burrows,  commander^fell  in  with 
H.B.M.  brig  Boxer,  Capt.  BIjthe.  The  Bri- 
tidh  brig  was  discovered  at  anchor,  in  shore,  at 
5  o'clock,  A.  M.  Penmaquid  bearing  north,  8 
mw^  distance.  After  some  manoeuvring,  the 
bri^  '^i;;)proaChed  at  a  quarter  past  3  P.  M, 
wi  '<-)  iialf  pistol  shot  of  each  other,  when  the 
action  commenced.  At  20  minutes  past  3*  the 
brave  commander  of  the  Enterprize  fell,  mor- 
tally wounded ;  while  lying  on  the  deck,  here* 
fused  to  be  carried  below,  raised  his  head,  and 
requested  «  that  the  flag  might  never  he  struck.*' 
Thus  lay  the  intrepid  Burrows,  until  he  learned 
the  result  of  the  action,  when,  clasping  his 
hands,  he  said,  <•  Idie  contented.^*  He  was  then 
taken  below,  and  died  in  8  hours  aftcrwHrds.^- 
At  4  P.  M.  tUe  enemy  ceased  firing,  and  cried 
out  for  quarters  ;  saying,  that  as  their  colours 
were  nailed^  they  could  not  haul  iliem  4own  ; — 
asuffi^'jent  proof  that  it  waH  resolved  never  to 
yield  to  a  Yankee  crew.  Some  of  the  crew  of 
the  Boxer  have  acknowledged,  that  she  left  port 
ivith  a  complement  of  115  picked  meni^  for  th^ 
purpose  of  taking  the  Enterpyize;  that  six  men^ 
were  put  on  board  a  prize,  and  six  ashore  on.the> 


'IM 


'A 


160 


BISTORT  OF  TBS  1?AR. 


v.. 


w 


island  of  Manliiggetiy  leaving  on  board,  ^hca 
the  action  commenced*  104 ;  whicli  account  a- 
grees  witli  the  muster* book,  found  on  board  of 
the  Boxer.  The  nuniln^r  of  killed  and  lYounded 
on  board  the  Boxer^  could  not  be  ascertained 
with  certainty,  as  many  of  the  former  were 
thrown  overboard.  Thtf  senior  officer  of  the 
£nterprize  states  it,  from  the  best  information 
he  could  obtain,  at  between  20  and  30  killed,  and 
14  wounded.  Capt.  Blythc,  the  commander  of 
the  Boxei\  was  among  the  killed.  The  folloW' 
ing  extract  of  a  letter  from  Capt.  Hull  to  Com. 
Bainbridge,  is  too  important  to  be  omitted. 

,  (( I  yesterday  visited  the  two  brigs,  and  vas  as* 
tonished  to  see  the  difTerence  of  injury  sustained  m 
the  action.  The  Enterfirize  has  but  one  18  pound 
'«.i)Ot  in  her  hull,onef  in  her  maiii-musti  and  one  in  her 
fore-mast;  her  sails  are  much  cut  with  grape  shot, 
and  there  are  a  great  number  of  grape  lodged  in  her 
sides,  but  no  injury  done  by  them.  The'' ^oxer  has 
eighteen  or  twenty  18  pound  shot  in  her  hull,  most 
of  them  at  tlie  water's  edge  :  severa!  stands  of  18 
pound  grape  stick  in  her  side,  and  ^och  a  quantity 
of  small  grape,  that  I  did  not  untiertake  to  count 
them.  Il(  r  musts,  sails  and  spars,  are  literally  cut 
to  pieces,  several  of  her  guns  dismounted  and  un« 
fit  for  service  ;  her  top-gallant  fore-custle  nearly  \a« 
ken  off  by  the  shot ;  her  boats  cut  to  pieces,  and 
her  quarters  injured  in  proportion.  To  give  you 
^n  idea  of  the  quantity  of  shot  about  her,  1  iulbrm 
you,  that  I  counted  in  her  main-mast  alone,^  three  18 
pound  shot  holes,  18  large  grape  shot  hoies  16 
musket  ball  hoies,  and  a  large  number  of  smaller 
shot  holes,  and  without  counting  above  the  cat  h.<r> 
pins.  We  find  it  impossible  to  get  at  the  number 
killed  ;  no  papers  are  found  by  which  we  can  uscer* 
tain  it—  I,  however,  counted  upwards  of  90  ham- 
Mocksy  which  were  in  her  netting  with  beds  in 
J  -.         ^       ■        ■    ■■   ,„    .      -  -  f 


<** 


UISTOBT   OV  TUB    WAB. 


151 


(hem,  besides  several  beds  without  hammocks  ;— 
she  has  excellent  accommodaiions  for  all  her  offi- 
cers below  in  state  rooms,  so  that  I  have  no  doubt 
that  she  bad   100  men  on  board.     We  know  that    . 
she  h»s  several  of  the  Rattler's  men,  and  a  quantity 
of  wads  was  taken  out  of  the   Rattler,  loaded  with    , 
4  lHr<;e  grape  shot,  with  a  small  hole  in  the  centre}    - 
to  put  in  a  cartridge,  that  the  inside  of  the  wad  may 
take  fire  when  it  leaves  the  gun.    In  shorty  she  is 
in  every  respect  completely  fitted  t  and  her  accom- 
modations exceed  any  thing  I  have  seen  in  a  vessel 
ofherplass."  ,^'^" .:«>::'::■  ::;;/-iy;  .-fM"- 

If  there  is  »n  American  who  would  deny  the- 
honour  due>  on  this  occriion.  to  the  Ameriean 
tars,  let  him  read  the  fbilowinj^  T.am  a  London 
paper*  and  yield,  however  unwillingly »,the  palm 
to  the  first  nation  in  the  world»  the  hitlierto  des- 
pised citizens  of  the  United  States.  The  lollop- 
ing is  a  copy  of  the  extract  alluded  to.       'ly{  -y^ 

"  Among  tYiC  American  news,  which  is  to  be  found 
in  the  papers  just  received  from  that  country,  it 
pains  us  to  find  a  full  confirmation  of  the  loss  of  his 
majesty's  brig  Boyerj  whi'  h  has  added  another  lau- 
rel to  the  naval  honours  of  the  United  States.  The 
vessel  by  which  she  was  captured,  is>  represented 
(falsely,  we  believe,)  as  of  only  equal  ibrce  with  her- 
self; but  what  we  regret  to  perceive  stated,  and 
trust  will  be  found  much  exaggerated,  is  that  the 
Boxer  wa»'  Uierally  cut  ta  pieetay  in- sails,  riggingy 
afiarsy  and  hull ;  whilst  the  Enterprize  (her  antago- 
nist,) was  in  a  situation  to*  commence  u  similar  action 
immediately  afterivards.  The  fact  seems  to  be  but 
too  clearly  estHblished,.  that  the  Americaus.  have 
some  sufierior  nuode  cf  Jiring  i  and  we  cannot  be 
too  anxiously  employed  in  discovering  to  what  cir» 
cumstances  that  supeiiority  is  owing.  The  Boxer 
was  certainly  not  lost  for  want  of  heroism.  The  - 
Britif^h  captain  nailed  his  colours  to  the  mast»  and 
Jiappily  did  not  live  to  ft«e  t^em  struck*    Both  corns* 


it 


^•»  -  n 


U 


\    V 


152 


miTOBT   Of  TBE  IVAS, 


manderB  died  in  the  action^  vrhich  appears  to  have 
been  of  the  most  desperaie  kind;  and  both  were 
buried  at  the  same  tiiney  in  the  port  to  which  the 
priae  was  carried."    i /:  .- *  ,    . .      .  .  iL'^.  .    ,*:! 

V  The  loss  on  board  tlie  Enterprize*  "was — 1  or* 
dinary  seaman  killed ;  1  eommaDderi  (burrows,) 
i  midshipman^  (K.  Waters,)  1  carpenter's  mate, 
morially  vounaed;  3  quarter- masters,  1  boat- 
B^ain*8  mate^  -B  seamen*  1  marine,  wounded.— 
Total  14.        >  •  ^ 

'; '  The  remains  of  the  gallant  commanders, 
(Burrows  and  Blithe,)  were  buried  in  Portland, 
with  military  honours.  Capt.  BIyfhe,  of  the 
Boxer,  was  one  of  the  pall-bearers  at  the  fune- 
ral honours  paid  to  the  late  Captain  Lawrence, 
at  Halifax.  1 

*  The  following  memorial  was  caused  to  be  inscrib- 
ed on  the  monument  of  the  gallant  Lieut.  Buunow^^ 
of' Portland,  by  Mr.  M.  L.  Davis,  of  New-York ; 

■  ,,  ■>       ,         BKNEATH    THIS   STONE  t.  > 

■:'.  ,:(iiAi?o?.':?' ■  Moulders  '  i^-.:' 

i'-.Mo  isH-"!  .:i:ii   "^<-     THE    BODY   OF-'^'-    *!  'V 

•^i  iiuWiLLiJiJi  jiu unows, 

0  Late  Commander  qf  the 

UNITED  STATKS*  BRIG  ENTERPRIZE, 

Who  was  mortally  wounded  on  the  5th  of  September,. 
1 8  4  S«  in  an  acUon,  w hich  toniributed  to  increase 

'i     the  fame  of  American  valour  by  capturing  his 

vt  >  BRIT.  MAJESTY'Sr  BRIG  BOXER, 
after  a  severe  contest  of  45  minutes. 

A  passlnfi  stranger  has  erected  this  monument  of  re- 
spect to  the  manes  of  a  patriot,  who  in  the  hour  of 

>   peril,   obeyed  the  loud  summons  of   an  injured 

V  country,  knd  who  gallantly  met,  fought  and  cou- 
"  -quered  thefoeman. 

''The  U.  8.  brig  Enterprize,  was  formerly  a 
schooner,  and  is  the  same  vessel  with  which 
loeut*  Sterrett,  in  Augusti  ISOi,  caj^tureU  wiUi^ 


BISTORT   OV  T^E  WAIL 


153 


out  tlie  loss  of  a  man,  the  Tri|)oIiian  ship  of 
ivar  Tripoli,  of  14  guni*,  aud  86  men,  60  of  ivhom 
were  killed  and  wounded. 

By  a  resolution  of  Congress*  the  President  of 
the  United  States  was  requested  to  present  to 
the  nearest  male  relative  of  Lieut.  William  Bur- 
rows, and  to  I>ut.  T*  M*Call,  of  the  brig  £n- 
terprize^  a  goh'  (ttk.^  ^  and  a  silver  °nir  ^,a1  to 
eaoh  of  the  commissluned  officers  of  said  vessel. 

Tlie  President  of  the  United  States,  having  con- 
sidered the  Boxer  as  equal  in  force  to  the  En- 
terprize^  has  ordered  her  to  be  delivered  up  foe 
the  benefit  of  the  captors.  * '^ 

Com.  Rodeers  arrived  at  Newport,  the  26th 
September^  In  the  frigate  President,  having 
sailed  IVom  Boston,  on  his  third  cruise,  in  com- 
pany with  the  Congress,  the  SOth  of  April  pre- 
ceding. After  parting  company  with  the  Con- 
gress, on  the  8th  May,  in  Ion.  60  W.  lat.  39, 
30,  N.  he  shapei)  his  course  to  the  southward 
of  the  Grand  Bank,  with  the  view  to  intercept 
the  enemy's  West-India  trade:  being  disap* 
pointed  in  this  quarter,  he  pursued  a  route  to 
the  northward,  on  a  parallel  with  the  eastern 
edge  of  the  Grand  Bank,  so  as  to  cross  the 
traeks  of  the  West-India,  Halifax,  Quebec,  and 
St.  John's  trade.  Not  being  successful,  after 
reaching  the  latitude  of  48  N.  he  steered  to- 
wards the  Azores  oflT  which  he  continued  until 
the  6th  June,  without  meeting  an  enemy's  ves- 
sel. From  hence,  he  crowded  sail  to  the  N.  E. 
in  search  of  an  enemy's  convoy,  which  he  learn- 
ed was  seen  sailing  from  the  West-Indies,  to 
England.  Although  crisappointed  in  falling  in 
with  the  convoy,  he  nevertheless  made  4  cap- 
tures, the  9th  and  i»i\\  of  June.  This  brought 
him  so  far  to  the  qorth  and  east,  that  he  re- 


«'ljr 


I't  i 


i^i 


'  *i 


l''^^ 


f 


\\ 


15% 


>"  .■,'•■• 


*<.»' 


HIBTOBT  OV  TAB  WAR., 


'iolved  oni  g^ing  into  the  North  Sea.  Ho  put 
into  North  Bergen  on  the  27th  June^  to  procure 
provi§ion8  and  water,  not  having  seen  any  ene- 
my's  veBielt  since  the  18th.  At  fiercen  he  oould 
proonre  onlj^  water,  and  departed  from'  thence 
the  2d  July,  stretching  over  towards  the  Ork- 
ney-islands; and  from  thence  towards  the 
North  Cape,  in  feareh  of  a  British  convoy,  that 
was  to  sail  from  Archangel,  of  which  he  ob- 
tained information  from  2  vessels,  which  he  cap- 
stured  on  the  ISth  and  iSth  July.  In  this 
olyeet  he  was,  disappointed,  by  the  appearance 
of  2  of  the  enemy's  ships  of  war,  (a  line  of  hat. 
lie  9hip>  and  a  frigate,}-off  the  North  Cape,  on  ^ 
the  Itfth  July.  The  President  was  chased  1  by  | 
these  2  ships  for  80  hours,  hut  effected  her  es- 
cape. The  Commodore  next  proceeded  to  a  sta- 
tion where  he  might  intercept  the  trade  passing 
into  and  out  of  the  Irish  channel.  In  iIms  posi- 
tion he.  made  S  (Captures,  between  the  2dth  Ju- 
lly,  ami  Ist  August ;  when,  feaVing  the  gr(>at  su*. 
periop  force  of  the  enemy  in  ttiat  quarter,  lie 
ebanged  his  ground ;  ^»ad,  aftiT  taking  a  cir- 
cuit round  Ireland,  and  getting  into  the  latitude 
of  Cape  Clear,  be  steered  for  the  Banks  of  New- 

foundland,  near  which  he   made  2  captures 

From  the  Banks,  he  steered  for  the  United 
States ;  and,  being  short  of  provisions,  was 
eonvpelled  to  make  the  first  port,  into  wbich  he 
could  safely  enter.  He  brought  in  with  him  H. 
B.  M.  schr.  High  Flyer,  a  tender  to  Admiral 
Warren,  captured  on  the  23d  July.  He  took  271 
prisoners:  21.6  of  whom  were  sent  home  in  car- 
tels* and  55  brought  home  in  the  Presi<leiit. 

The  movements,  on  the  Niagara  frontier,  be- 
gan at  this  time  to  wear  a  very  serious  aspect. 


BISTOBT  OT  THE  WAB. 


155 


The  following  aildross  was  eirculated  in  the 
western  (Tistriot  of  Che  state  of  New-Yorl(. 

«  TO  THE  PATRIOTS  OF  TH^  WESTERN 

DISTRICT. 

(( The  period  being  at  hand  which  is  ....  decide 
the  fate  of  the  province  of  Upper  Canada)  and  the 
command  of  the  Niagara  fruntier  having  devolved 
on  me,  I  think  proper  to  invite  the  old  and  ;oung 
patriots  of  the  Western  District  to  join  my  brigade 
in  defence  of  their  country  and  rights— any  number 
not  exceeding  lOQO)  will  be  accepted  and  organized 
immediately  on  their  arrival  at  Lewistoti,  and  ofii« 
cered  by  the  choice  of  their  men.  \s  the  move- 
ments of  an  army  require  secrecy*  objects  in  view 
cannot  be  particularly  developed  ;  but  those  who  feel 
disposed  to  distinguish  themselves^  »nd  render  ser- 
vices to  their  couniry,  m«ybe  assured  that  some- 
thing efficient  and  decisive  will  be  done.  The  terr.i 
of  service  will  be  3  months,  if  not  sooner  discharg- 
ed: and  every  thing  shall  be  done  to  render  their 
situations  as  comfortable  as  possible.  I  wish  none 
to  volunteer  who  may  have  any  constitutional  objec- 
tions to  cross  the  Niagara  river:  1400  of  my  bri- 
gade have  already  volunteered  to  cross  the  river^ 
and  go  wherever  they  may  be  required  ^  and  600  of 
them  are  now  doing  du:y  at  Fort  George.  1  flatter 
myself  that  no  other  consi  leration  need  be  urged* 
than  love  of  country,  to  excite  the  patriotism  of  the 
yeomanry  of  the  Western  District. 

Given  at  head-qujrters,  Lewiston,  October  Sid, 
1813. 

:        y         GEORGE  MY!LURE,  Brig.  Gen. 
Commanding  Niagara  Frontier." 

A  considerable  number  of  patriotic  volunteers 
flocked,  on  this  occasion*  to  t.he  standard  of  Geo* 
M'Clurc. 

The  following  is  an  extract  of  the  generaFs 
letter  to  Governor  Tompliins^  of  the  state  of 


tt! 


150 


HI8T011T  OF  TBB  WAB. 


i/.\ 


New-Torky  dated  Fort  George,  6th  October, 
1813. 

,_^  **  We  have  commenced  offensive  operations  a- 
gainst  the  enemy.  About  500  militia  volunteers, 
and  about  150  Indians,  commanded  by  Col.  Chupin,' 
attacked  the  picket  guard  of  the  enemy  about  a  mile 
and  an  half  from  Fort  George,  and  drove  them  it 
upon  the  main  body,  when  the  eitemy  opened  a  fire 
from  several  "field  pieces.  Our  men  retired  in  good 
order  into  the  fort,  with  the  loss  of  one  man  killed 
and  two  or  three  wounded.  The  enemy's  Ioks  was 
7  killed*  manv  wounded,  and  4  prisoners. 

<Mn  a  short  time,  the  enemy  appeared  in  consider* 
able  force  within  500  yards  of  the  fort,  at  the  edge 
of  the  woods  ;  Chapin  again  sallied  out  with  ahoiit 
300  men,  and  some  Indiansi  commenced  a  brisk)  fire 
on  the  whole  of  the  enemy's  line,  and  drove  them 
half  a  mile— but,  perceiving,  by  the  movements  oi 
the  enemy,  that  they  would  outflank  ui,  I  ordered 
300  !o  reinforce  him,,  and  in  two  detachments  to  at< 
tack  the  i^nemy's  flanks.  We  succeeded  in  driving 
the  enemy  into  the  woods,  when  night  coming  on, 
put  an  end  to  the  conflut.  Our  loss  was  ti ifling ; 
I  have  not  ascertained  that  of  the  enemy^  Colonel 
Chapin  is  a  brave  man.  Every  officer  and  soldier 
did  his  duty."  // 

^  Col.  Chapin,  in  a  private  letter,  to  a  friend  in 
J&uflfUioe^  thus  details  the  brash  be  had  with  the 
enemy.  -  ,  .,     .  4,- 

«  While  at  dinner,  T  received  information  of  the 
British  army  being  in  the  town  of  Newark.  I  im* 
medi  >tely  rallied  a  party  of  100  men,  and  commenc- 
ed a  fire  upon  them,  wiio  returned  it  with  much 
Warmth— we  kept  the  ground  jjil  we  were  rein. 
forced  by  60  Indi<>n8,  ahd  100  militia.  With  this 
force,  we  compeih  d  the  enemy  to  retreat,  and  pur- 
sued  them  one  and  a  half  miles,  when  we  received 
a reinfoi cement  of  100  men;  with  this  force,  wc 
drove  them  half  a  mile  further,  where  they  covered 


■  f 


HISTORY  OV  TUB   WAR. 


157 


themselves  in  a  ravine,  and  opened  a  most  tremen- 
dous fire  of  musketry  upon  uh.  After  an  hour  and 
a  half  fiard  fighting*  we  drove  them  from  the  ravine) 
back  to  the  batteries— it  beiug  now  nearly  dark,  we 
returned  in  good  order. 

«  From  some  deserters,  and  a  prisoner  wc  took» 
we  learn  that  we  had  contended  with  the  whole  Bii- 
tlsh  army,  consisting  ot  1 100  men,  with  the  groat 
Gen.  Vincent  at  their  head  ;  and  that  we  killed  3'i, 
Our  loss  was  4,  killed  and  wounded." 

Major  Chapin  has  reoentl^  been  breveliod 
lieutenant  colonel,  in  the  United  Sfates'ai'm.v. 

Gen.  M<Cliirey  with  the  New-York  iniiitia, 
volunteers  and  Indians*  sueeeeded  in  driving  the 
British  army  from  the  vicinity  of  Fort  GeorgOy 
and  pursued  them  as  far  as  Twelve-mile-crcel<. 
Col.  Seott,  who  commanded  at  Furt  Georgo, 
having  informed  Gen.  M<Clure,  that  he  was  un- 
der orders  to  leave  that  place  with  the  regulars^ 
the  general  was  compelled  to  abandon  his  de- 
sign, and  return  to  Fort  George.  .-.'   i-    ^* 

It  was  General  M^CIure's  wish,  by  the  aid  of 
the  regular  troops,  to  clear  Upper  Canada  ubsve 
Kingston,  of  the  British  armies,  lo  eiitablish  a 
temporary  government,  secure  the  friendship, 
aud  if  necessary*  the  co  operation  of  the  inhabi- 
tants, and  compel  the  Indians  to  seperate  them- 
selves from  the  enemy»  or  accompany  them  in 
their  retreat.  That  this  could  be  effected,  can 
scarcely  be  dooted.  but  it  was  necessarily  aban- 
doned in  favour  of  a  design  which  originated  with 
the  general  government,  and  which,  had  it  suc- 
ceeded, would  have  been  more  important.  The 
regular  troops  were  principally  drawn  from  the 
Niagara  frontier,  to  co-operate  with  Gen.  Wil- 
kinson in  his  intended  attack  on  Montreal.  Gen« 
Harrison's  army  was  also  ordered  to  Saokett's 

4i 


( ) 


I'll 


,t;^ 


' '  •  f' 


1  ■!■ 


.    !     ' 


158 


mSTOUT  OF  TIIK  VfAU, 


Barbour.  Gen.  M*Clurc  endeavoured  <o  influ- 
ence Geo.  Harrison  to  aid  him  in  attacking  t|ie 
enemy;  but  the  instructions  from  the  general 
government  vero  pOHitive;  and  Com.  Cbaun- 
cey  had  arrived  iiith  his  fleet  to  remove  the 
troops  to  Sackett'fl  Harbour.  The  force  remaJD* 
inc  >vitli  Gen.  M<Clure,  uas  barely  sufficient  (« 
dtocnd  Fort  George,  and  entirely  inadequate  to 
offensive  operations;  and  this  force,  which  ilie 
general  stated  to  bo  «  ungovernable,"  would 
800*1  be  reduced  by  tho  expiration  of  their  Uvm 
of  service. 

The  militia  returned  to  their  homes,  with  the 
exception  of  a  few  that  were  induced  to  remain 
bevond  the  term  of  their  enlistment.  The  {^ene* 
ral  Ending  his  force  reduced  to  a  number  inade* 
quate  to  defend  his  post,  and  (he  enemy  advanced 
ivithin  a  few  miles  of  him,  he  called  n  council  of 
officers,  and  put  to  them  tho  question,  <•  Is  the 
fort  tenable  with  the  present  number  of  men  ?" 
They  were  unanimous  in  the  opinion,  that  it 
was  not  tenable,  llie  arms,  ammunition,  and 
public  stores,  were  immediately  sent  across  tlie 
river,  and,  as  a  measure  deemed  necessary  to 
the  safety  of  the  troops,  the  town  of  Newark 
'was  burned.  «  This  act,  (said  Gen.  M^CIurr.) 
however  distressing  to  the  inhabitants,  and  my 
feelings,  was  by  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War, 
and  I  believe,  at  the  same  time,  proper.^'  'J  he 
inhabitants  had  twelve  hours  notice  to  remove 
their  efiVcts  and  such  as  chose  to  cross  the  river. 
ivere  provided  with  all  the  necessaries  of  life. 

Capt.  Leonard  vtas  left  in  command  at  Fort 
Niagara,  with  ISO  regulars ;  Colonel  Grieves. 
"With  20  men,  and  2  pieces  of  artillery,  was  at 
Lewiston;  Major  Mallory,  with  40  Canadian 
jnilitia^  were  stationed  at  Schloiiser;  and  tlif 


BISTOHT   OF  THE    V/AH, 


160 


general  went  to  DufTaloe,  to  provide  for  the 
i'jScXy  of  that  ulHce,  and  Dlack  liock. 

Fi'oin  'Buffaioc*  Geuei'-^  M*Clurc  isbued  an 
addresii  to  tho  iiiliubitHnU  of  the  counties  of 
Niagara*  Guncs8ce»  and  Cliatague,  apprizing 
them  of  the  menaced  invasion  of  that  fronf  ^er* 
and  calling  on  them  to  repair  to  Lcwiston, 
SelilosRer,  and  Huflr>due,  for  the  purposo  of  de- 
fending their  country  and  homo  agaitist  a  bar- 
barous enemy.  This  was  too  late  topro'^lee  the 
desired  effect. 

On  the  morning  of  the  19th  Dccemher,  about 
4  o*olockt  the  enemy,  consisting  of  regulars,  mi- 
litiii,  and  Indians,  to  the  number,  by  the  roost, 
probable  account,  of  ±500  men,  crossed  the  Ni- 
agara river  at  I*^ive-mile  meadow,  and  advanced 
against  Fort  Niagara,  which  they  completely 
suqirisod,  entering  it  while  the  men  were  neai- 
ly  all  asleep,  and  killing,  without  merey  or  dis* 
crimination,  those  who  canie  in  their  way.  It 
will  be  reeolleeted  that  an  attack  on  this  plaoe 
was  expected,  and  that  Captain  Leonard,  wh.> 
commanded,  had  directions  accordingly;  yet 
General  M'Clure  observes,  in  his  official  des- 
pateh,  **  I  am  induced  to  think  that  the  disaster 
,  is  not  attributable  to  any  want  of  troops,  but  to 
gross  neglect  in  the  commanding  off(^er  of  the 
/or^^Captain  lioonard,  in  not  prepui'.r^^  ueing 
ready,  and  looking  out  for  the  expected  attack.'^ 
It  appears  by  another  letter  from  Gtn.  M'Clure^ 
**  that  Captain  Leonard  was  not  in  the  fort  at  the 
time  of  the  attack,  having  hh  it  at  a  late  hour" 
the  preceding  evening."  .  -^ 

On  the  same  morning  on  which  Niagara  was 
taken^  a  detachment  of  militia  stationed  at 
Lewiston,  under  command  of  Major  Bennet, 
was  attacked  by  a  strong  party  of  the  cnemy^ 


,:-.>■ 


! 


160 


mSTOST    OF  THE   V/XStk 


i 


m 


but  the  major  and  his  few  men  cut  their  wav 
i^ith  great  bravery  through  several  huhdiedg 
of  savages  and  others,  by  whom  they  were  sur- 
rounded. The  villages  of  Young8(own>  Lewis. 
ton»  Manchester^  the  Indian  l*uscarora  village^ 
and  all  the  intervening  houses,  were  burned, 
and  many  of  the  inhabitants  inhumanly  butelur. 
cd,  without  respect  to  age  or  sex,  by  savagesi 
headed  by  British  Officers  painted,  Major  Mai. 
lory.  Mho  was  stationed  at  Schlosscr,  with  about 
40  Canadian  militia,  boldly  advanced  to  Lewis- 
ton  heights,  and  compelled  the  enemy  to  fall 
back  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain :  for  two  days 
the  major  continued  to  resist  the  advance  of  ithe 
enemy,  disputing  every  ini^h  qf  ground  to  the 
I'autawanty  creek. 

M^jor-General  Hall,  on  hearing  the  danger- 
ous and  exposed  state  of  the  frontier,  hastened 
to  Bataviai  and,  on  the  morning  of  the  23d  De- 
cember, at  the  request  qf  General  MTlure, 
took  the  chief  eommand  of  the  men  then  assem- 
bling to  repel  the  enemy.  There  waaagreat 
deficiency  of  ammunition  and  arms.  'With  what 
could  be  procured,  the  general  commenced  his 
march  towards  Lewiston  on  the  25th,  having 
under  his  command  tbS.  infantry,  under  Lieut. 
Col.  Lawrence,  supported  by  one  company  of 
cavalry,  under  Captain  Marvin,  and  in-  the  ex- 
pectation to  jcin  a  corps  of  militia,  said  to  be 
200  strong,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Ateheson,  which 
was  stationed  15  miles  east  from 'Lewiston* 
with  instructions,  if  possible,  to  join  the  main 
force  at  RuiTaloe.  On  the  morning  of  the  2r>tli, 
General  Hall  arrived  at  Bnfialoe,  where  he  found 
a  considerable  body  of  irregular  troops  of  vari- 
ous descriptions.  General  M'Clure  was  left  in 
•ommand  at  Batavia.    On  the  27th  the  troops 


ttlSTOair  0¥   THE  WAR« 


161 


at  Buffaioe  and  Black  Rook>  were  reviewed,  and 
found  to  consist,  in  the  aggregate,  including  lo- 
dians»  of  1711  men,  which  were  increased,  on 
the  morning  of  the  29th,  by  about  300  men, 
giving  an  entire  force  of  SOU  men ;  bat  this^ 
force  was  soon  reduced,  by  desertion,  to  1200; 
and  even  these  so  deficient  in  ammunition,  that 
a  part  of  the  cartridges  were  made  and  distriba^ 
ted  after  the  men  were  paraded  for  battle,  on 
the  mprning  o-f  the  30th. 

In  the  evening  of  the  29th,  at  12  o'clock,  the 
horse  patrole  had. been  fired  on,  a  short  distance 
below  Conjuktie*s  creek,  and  one  mile  below 
Black  Rock.  The  troops  were  immediately 
paraded,  and  stood  by  their  arms.  An  attempt 
\vas  made  to  dislodge  the  enemy  from  the  sai- 
lo/s  battery  near  Conjoktie*s,  of  which  he  had 
obtained  possession,  llie  attempt  failed,  through 
the  darkness  of  the  night,  and  confusion  inta 
which  the  militia  were  thrown  by  the  enenrt^'^s 
fire.  A  second  body  of  militia,  sent  on  the  same 
service,  was  equally  unsuccessful ;  the  men, 
after  a  short  skirmish,  fled  in  diB0i*der.  A  third 
detachment  was  ordered  on  the  same  servioCy 
but  was  recalled  to  oppose  a  body  of  men  which 
was  discovered,  as  the  day  dawned,  crossing  the 
river.  As  soon  as  the  force  of  the  enemy  was 
ascertained  to  be  large,  and  commanded  by 
Lieut.  Col.  Drummond,  and  then*  position  re- 
comoitr  (V  the  best  possible  disposition  was 
made  to  o^ipose  them,  with  a  force  inferior  in 
number,  as  it  was  in  experience,  and  ammuni- 
tions of  war.  General  Hall  thus  briefly  detail^ 
the  efft'ct : 

«  The  attack  was  commenced  by  a  fire  from  our 
ux  pounder  un(ier  licut.  Seely,  below  general  Por- 
ter's house^  and  one  24  and  two  12  pounders  at  the 

0^ 


(II  J  r 


>-£'t 


ii' 


J  » 


iu 


It 


I'     I  r 
£        i  ill 


i 


±6ii 


HISTORY  OF   TOE   WAS. 


battery,  under  command  of  lieut.  Farnum,  of  the 
SlstU.S.  Infantry,  acting  as  a  volunteer.  At  the 
same  (^ne  the  enemy  opened  a  heavy  fire  from  their 
btftteries  on  the  opposite  side  uf  the  river,  of  shells, 
spherical  and  hot  shot,  and  ball.  The  regiment  un* 
iler  command  of  col.  Blakeslie,  about  400  strong, 
were  regularly  in  line,  together  with  detached  bo- 
dies from  other  corps,  amounting,  according  to  the 
best  estimaie  I  can  make,  in  all  about  600  men.— 
These  few  but  brave  men,  commenced  the  attack 
with  musketry  upon  the  enemy  in  tht  ir  boats,  and 
poured  upon  them  a  most  destructive  fire.  Every 
mch  of  ground  was  disputed  with  the  steady  cooU 
ness  of  veterans,  and  at  the  expense  of  many  valua- 
ble lives.  'J  heir  bravery,  at  the  same  time  that  it 
casts  a  lustre  over  their  names,  refiects  equal  dis- 
grace on  those  who  fied  at  the  first  appearance  of 
danger— and  whom  neither  intrcHtit-s  nor  threats 
could  turn  bnck  to  the  support  of  their  comrades. 

ti  Perceiving  that  the  Indian s<  on  whom  1  had  re- 
lied lor  attacking  the  enemy's  flank,  were  offering 
us  no  assistance — and  that  our  right  was  endanger- 
ed by  the  enemy's  left,  I  gave  directions  for  the  re- 
serve, under  command  of  col.  M'Mahan,  to  attack 
the  enemy  in  flank  on  our  right.  But  terror  hdd 
dissipated  this  corps,  and  but  few  of  them  could  be 
rallied  by  their  officers  and  brought  to  the  attack. 
Of  this  corps  there  are  some  who  merit  well  of 
their  country— but  more  who  covered  themselves 
with  disgrace.  The  defection  of  the  Indians  and  of 
my  reserve,  and  the  loss  of  the  services  of  the  ca- 
valry and  niounted  men,  by  reason  of  the  nature  of 
the  ground  on  which  they  must  act,  left  the  forces 
eiigagfd  exposed  to  the  enemy*8  fire  in  front  and 
flank.  After  standing  their  ground  for  about  one 
half  hour,  opposed  to  veterans  and  highly  discip* 
Hned  troops,  overwhelmed  by  numbers,  and  nearly 
surrounded,  a  retreat  became  necessary  to  th(ir 
safety,  which  was  accordingly  made.  1  then  made 
cv«ry  effort  to  rally  Ihe  troops  with  a  view  to  reHew 


UISTOBT   OF  TUE    WAR. 


16S 


the  attack  on  the  enemy's  columns,  on  their  ap* 
preach  to  the  viUrtge  of  Buffaloe.  But  ev^ry  effort 
proved  ineffectual ;  and  experience  proves,  that  with 
militia  a  retreat  becomes  a  flight,  and  a  battle  once 
ended,  the  army  is  dissipated.  Deserted  by  my 
principal  force,  I  fell  back  that  night  to  the  Eleven 
mile  creek,  and  was  forced  to  leave  the  flourishing 
villages  of  Black  Rock  and  Buffaloe,  a  prey  to  the~ 
enemy «  which  they  have  pillaged  and  laid  in  ashes." 

General  Hall  retired  to  .Eloyeii  mile  ereek* 
where  he  eollected  about  300  men  ;  a'dd,  with 
theses  endeavoured  to  cover  the  flleeing  inhabi- 
tants, and  make  a  show  to  prevent  the  advance 
of  the  enemy.  *i  ■ 

Eight  pieces  of  artillery  lell  into  the  hands  of 
the  enemy.  About  30  men  were  killed^,  and 
somewhat  more  than  that  number  wounded,  in 
the  defence  of  Black  Rock.  But  the  worst  re- 
mains to  be  told,  or  rather  some  faint  idea  to  be 
given  of  the  indescribable  barbarity  of  the  enemy. 

Black  Rock  and  Buffaloe  were  destroyed,  to- 
^Uier  with  every  building  for  two  miles  east  of 
Buffaloe  on  the  Batavia  road,  and  almost  every 
building  between  Bnffaloe  and  Niagara  <aloDg  the 
river.  <«  The  enemy,"  says  General  Hall,  ♦•  had 
with  him  at  Black  Rock  and  Buffaloe^  a  number 
of  Indians,  (the  general  opinion  in  that  couoti^ 
is  about  200,)  who  pursued  their  accustomed 
mode  of  horrid  warfare*  by  tomahawking,  scalp- 
ing, and  otherwise  mutilating  the  persons  Who 
fell  into  their  hands.  Among  the  victims  of 
tAeir  savage  barbarity,  was  a  Mrs.  Lovejoy,  of 
Buffuloe,  who  was  tomahawked,  and  afterwards 
burnt  in  her  own  hou^;<$.  The  conduct  of  these 
savages  has  struck  the  minds  of  the  people  on  the 
Niagara  frontier  vith  such  liorror,  as  to  make 
it  absolutely  nec^asary^  that  a  morci  effieient 


m 


ffi  ^ 


'■'■*  "^id 


i(>4 


UISTOKY  OF  TUB   WAB. 


force  than  the  ordinary  militia  oi*  the  country, 
should  be  employed  for  its  protection*  to  prevent 
its  becoming  entirely  depopulated.'* 

Ail  the  settlements  of  a  populous  country,  ^q 
miles  iquarcy  were  completely  broken  up,  and 
12,000  persons  sent  as  if  into  beggery.  The 
tomahawk  and  bayonet  deprived  parents  of  their 
children,  and  children  of  their  parents ;  the  sa- 
vages white  and  red,  who  acted  not  merely  as 
conquerors,  but  as  murderers  and  robbers,  by  a 
fell  swoop,  pounced  upon  their  prey  with  the  fe- 
rocity  Of  (he  tiger,  and  the  all-desolating  ruin  of 
the  lootist*  On  the  4th  January  the  robbers  re* 
tired  into  their  own  woods,  not  daring  to  wait 
the  chastisement  that  was  prepared  for  them. 

Considerable  contributions  of  money  were  coi- 
lected  for  the  relief  of  the  surviving  suffcrei's, 
who  gradually  returned  to  view  the  smoking 
ruins  of  their  late  habitations. 

The  enemy  having  declared  their  conduct  on 
the  Niagara  frontiei ,  to  hare  been  committed  in 
retaliation  for  excesses  said  to  have  been  com- 
mitted by  the  Amexrican  armies  in  Canada,  the 
eensure.  or  rather  indignation  of  the  sufTerrig 
inhabitants  were  turned  against  Gen.  M^ClurC) 
Vfho  had  the  command.  The  eeneral,  previous 
to  retiring  from  command,  published  an  address 
to  the  public,  in  justification  of  his  own  conduct, 
in  whi^^h  he  seems  to  have  been  pretty  success- 
ful. M<Clure  was  certftinly  a  good  and  zealous 
soldier ;  ever  ready  to  obey  his  superiors,  he  ex> 
acted  obedienee  from  those  who  were  placed  un- 
der his  command  ;  he  knew  that  strict  discipline 
was  essential  to  form  the  practical  soldier ;  and 
he  probably  suffered  in  the  esteem  of  some,  be* 
cuu»e  he  pursued  a  system  from  which  he  could 
Bot  depart  without  a  crime,  thatinight  stamf 
kiiiL  with  indeliabie  disgrace^ 


HIST<mT  OV  THE  WAB* 


16^ 


..afe-: 


The  impoHance  of  FortNiaganiy  as  amilitai^ 
position,  iS'Suiileiently  eviileut,  and  the  possihili- 
i)r  of  preserving  it  has  been  unfortunately  prov- 
en by  an  enemy*  who  probably  would  not  medi- 
tate its  reduction,  were  he  not,  in  some  manner 
apprized  that  the  garrison,  sufficiently  strong* 
Avas  not  sufficiently  watchful.  Had  this  post 
been  preserved,  as  it  might  have  been,  the  ruth- 
less massacre  of  its  garrison,  after  resistance 
had  ceased,  would  not  have  happened ;  nor  would 
a  savage  enemy  have  dared  to  attempt  his  hor- 
rid incursion,  without  the  previous  possession  of 
the  key  to  the  settlements  along  the  Niagara 
frontier. 

These  observations  r.re  not  merely  speculative. 
The  enemy  had  undoubtedly  an  early  eye  on  the 
post  at  Niagara  ;  it  may  perhaps  be  cause  of  sur- 
prise to  some,  that  it  was  not  seized  while  in  a 
^tate  of  ill  defence,  and,  that  its  occupation  by 
the  enemy,  was  deferred  to  a  time,  when  it  was 
amply  supplied  with  men,  arms,  and  ammunition. 
This  can  be  best  explained,  by  a  re-assertion, 
that  the  enemy  prudently  waited  until  he  could 
find  the  garrison  not  watchful,  sleeping.  To  the 
undaunted  prowess  of  one  of  the  most  intrepid, 
zealous,  and  active  officers  of  the  army,  is  to  be 
attributed,  that  the  enemy  had  not  an  earlier 
possession  of  Niagara .  Fort.  Captain  M*Keoi|# 
of  the  artillery,  in  his  bold  and  successful  defence 
of  this  post,  has  signalized  himself  in  a  manner 
that  had  few  parallels  during  the  war,  and  may 
probably  be  ranked,  because  it  bore  strong  simi- 
litude, to  the  brave  exploit  of  the  hero  of  Lower 
Sandusky.  This  act  of  ^'aptain  M*Keon  will  be 
best  explained  by  (he  following  letter  to  the  Se- 
cretary of  War>  which  is  now  published^  for  the 
first  lime. 


'J ..  -''  ^\ 


i»»S 


A 


166 

J 


HlfTOBT   n  THE  1¥AU* 


^,     .'  !.    ,,  :  JVJrw- For  A:,  6M /un^,  1813. 

Sir— When  the  army  was  yet  in  its  infancy,  and 
but  very  few  troops  to  garrison  the  old  fort  of  Kia* 
gara^  1  had  the  honour  to  command  at  that  station,  a 
company  of  the  3d  reg.  U.  S.  artillery  ;  at  this  time 
the  enemy  prepared  to  bombard  us,  and  I'aised  seve> 
ral  strong  batteries  for  the  purpose.  We  sustained 
bitt'fire  for. seven  hours^  and  had  our  works  so  much 
shattered,  that  our  commandant  Captain  Leonard 
thought  them  no  longer  tenable  :  he  had  the  guns 
spiked,  and  evacuated  the  fort.  According  to  orders 
I  retreated  wjth  the  garrison  ;  but  at  a  very  short 
distance  from  the  place,  I  solicited  and  obtained 
Captain  Leonard's  pei  mission  to  return  to  it :  at  the 
moment  it  was  the  depot  of  an  immense  quantity  of 
public  storps,  worth  perhaps  a  million  of  dollars,  ^nd 
fitill  more  valuable  in  a  military  point  of  view ;  these 
I  wished  at  every  risk  to  preserve.  Though  I  pos- 
sessed entire  command  of  all  my  men,  I  took  back 
with  ihe  but  3^5 ;  because  from  the  circumstance  of 
the  gunf  being  spiked,  1  could  not  employ  more,  and 
thisr  number  was  enough  fur  the  execution  of  my 
plan  if  it  should  succeed,  aVid  enough  to  lose  if  it 
should  h^l.  I  placed  centinels  on  the  ramparts  and 
ftt  tht  banders,  and  caused  them  to  give  the  usual 
call  every  six  minutes,  through  the"  night,  so  as  to 
impress  the  enemy  with  a  belief  that  the  fortress  was 
garrisoned,  and  the  garrison  vigilant :  At  the  same 
time  f<Hir  men  belonging  to  the  laboratory  had  port 
firesMighted  and  fuzees  prep^tred  to  blow  up  the  mag- 
azine and  all,  if  the  en^my  could  not  be  intimidated 
from  advancing  upon  us.  Fortunately  he  was  intioii* 
dated ;  the  tort,  ^as  saved ;  and  the  next  r^iorning  at 
6  o'elock  the  garrison  returned  with  a  reinforcement. 
On  the  1 6th  of  October,  a  second  order  was  issued 
by  Gen.  Alexander  Smyth,  for  the  evacuation  of  this 
fort  and  the  public  property  was  accordingly,  remov* 
ed  from  it  to  Lewiston ;  but  immediately  I  repre* 
sented  to  Cel.  Winder,  that  the  fort  was  not  only  ten^ 


HIBTOBT  OV  THE  ITAB* 


167 


tble*  but  that  I  would  miuntain  it :  he  was  pleased  t« 
sanction  thu  opinion)  and  thus  I  was,  in  some  mea- 
sure»  the  cause  of  pieterving  it  a  second  time.  On 
Ibe  3 1st  of  November  following,  the  enemy  bombard- 
ed  uiir  fort  with  the  greatest  fury  for  1 3  hours )  dur- 
ing this  tinte  it  was  my  good  fortune  to  hare  been 
most  assuiled  by  hit  attack  and  most  opposite  to  his 
position.  The  conflagration  of  Fort  George  and 
Iifewark  will  I  trust  bear  testimony  to  the  successes 
of  my  efforts  on  that  day. 

(Signed)  JAS.  M*KEON, 

late  Capt.  A»  t*y. 

The  brave  defence  of  Fort  Niagara  led  to  the 
following  garrison  order.  ,  ^ 

GARRISON  ORDER. 

Fort  Magaray  October  15/A,  1W2. 

It  is  with  the  greatest  satisfaction  the  command* 
in^  officer  gives  to  Capt.  M'Keon  his  full  approbation 
for  his  spirited  and  judicious  conduct)  during  the  se« 
vera  cannonading  from  Fort  George  and  the  batte* 
ries  on  the  opposite  side  the  river,  against  this  post) 
for  more  than  seven  hours  on  the  1 3th  October  inst. 

To  Dr.  West  he  begs  to  express  his  sincere  thanks 
for  ,the  ^id  and  assistance  received  from  him;.  T« 
the  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  of  the 
garrison  he  has  only  to  say  that  they  have  hi&  full 
approbation  for  their  cool  and  determined  courage) 
and  iheir  zeal  and  activity  during  the  day. 

N.  LEOiS^ARD,  Capt. 
Commanding  Fort  Niagara.. 

'While  things  were  thus  progressing  on  land, 
the  British  were  preparing  a  naval  force  for  the 
annoyam  e  of  the  citizens  on  the  sea-board. 

Admiral  Warren  arrived  at  Halifax  on  the 
27tli  September)  1812  ;  and  having  attempted  in 
vain  to  deceive  the  American  government  wifli 
false  professions  of  a  pacific  intention)  he  pro- 
ceeded in  January*  off  New -York. 


I?';;: 


I 


M« 


168 


BISTORT  OF  THE   WAS«, 


I 


i 


Early  in  February,  1S13,  the  Chesapeake  bay 
and  Delaware  river  were  blookaded. 

The  British  fleet  continued  in  the  bay  and 
rivers  connected  therewith.  Their  transactions, 
for  the  greater  part,  form  a  history  of  petty 
landings,  wherever  no  considerable  force  euuld 
be  opposed  to  them,  burning  or  taking  every 
Tessel  that  came  within  their  power,  plundering 
the  inhabitants  adjacent  to  the  waters,  burniug 
houses*  and  insulting,  in  the  most  libidinous 
manner,  those  females,  who  did  not,  or  could  not 
fly  fi'om  them.  The  following  deserve  particu. 
lar  record. 

A  letter,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy, 
vas  sent  to  liCwistown,  in  the  state  of  Delaware, 
on  the  16th  March,  1813.  .  ' 

«  Sim,— As  soon  as  you  receive  this,  I  must  re- 
quest you  will  send  twenty  live  bullocks^,  with  a  pro- 
portionable  quantity  of  vegetabiea' and  hay-  to  the 
Poictiers,  for  the  use  of   his  Britannic  majesty's 
squadron  now  at  this  anchorage,  which  shall  be  im- 
mediately paid  for  at  the  Philadelphia  prices.     If  you 
refuse  to  comply  with  this  request*  I  shall  be  under 
the  necessity  of  deatroying  your  town. 
**  I  have  the  honour  to  be*  Sir,  your  ob't.  servant, 
«'  J.  P.  BERESKORD,  Commodore, 
commanding  the  Bri ash  squadron  in 
the  mouth  of  the  Delaware. 
**  TAeJiret  magistrate  ((f  Lewiatown," 

The  magistrate  transmitted  th&  letter  to  Gov- 
ernor Haslet,  who  sent  a  reply  to  the  admiral 
on  the  23d,  concluding  in  the  following  words: 
«  I  have  orly  to  observe  to  you  that  a  compli- 
ance would  be  an  immediate  violation  of  the 
laws  of  my  country,  and  an  eternal  stigma  on  the 
nation  of  which  I  am  a  citizen.  A  complianr?, 
therefore^  eannot  be  acceded  to." 


ItlSTOnt  07  TUB  WAR. 


100 


On  the  evening  of  the  6th  April,  the  Belvid;  ra 
and  (wo  small  vessels  came  close  into  Lewisy 
aad  conimenoed  an  attack,  by  firing  several  32lb. 
shot  into  the  town,  whiqh  have  been  picked  up; 
after  which  a  flag  was  sent,  to  whieh  the  follow- 
iog  ro|)ly  was  returned. 

M  Sir, — In  replf  to  the  renewal  of  your  demand, 
with  the  addition  for  a  **  suppljr  of  water/'  I  have  to 
iflform  you  that  neither  can  be  complied  with.  This, 
tooi  you  must  be  sensible  of;  therefore  I  must  in- 
sist the  attack  on  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  is  both 
wanton  and  cruel.  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your 
most  obedient  servant, 

«  S.  B.  DAVIS,  Col.  Commandant."  * 

Another  message  was  sent,  in  which  the  Bri- 
tish Captain  Byron,  among  other  matter,  wrote, 
«  I  grieve  for  the  distress  of  the  women*' — to 
which  a  verbal  reply  was  given,  «  That  Colonel 
Davis  is  a  gallant  man,  and  has  already  taken 
care  of  the  ladies." 

The  attack  continued  tilt  near  10  o'clock.— » 
The  firing  was  kept  up  during  the  greater  part 
of  the  following  day.  One  of  the  mOst  danger- 
ous of  their  gun-boats  was  silenced  by  the  fire 
from  a  small  battery.  The  enemy  withdrew  on 
the  8th,  after  firing  on  fjcwis  for  21  hours,  with 
little  effect,  and  without  aeoomplishing  his  ob- 
ject. - 

In  their  progress  up  the  bay,  the  British  land- 
ed at  Frenohtown  on  the  Elk  river*  and  burned 
the  store-houses*  destroying  or  carrying  alvay  all 
the  public  and  private  property  which  they  con- 
tained. 

From  Frenchtown,  the  enemy  proceeded  to 
I  Havre-de-Grace,  a  flourishing  little  village  on 
the  Susquehannalh  where  they  landed,  in  consi- 
derable force,  on  the  3d  of  May,  and  pMeeeded 


^^f. 


h 


''m^ 


■I't 


±70 


HISTORY  OF  THE   WAB. 


iU     .';t 


Mi 


ifo  plunder  nnd  burn  mriili  a  sayageness  that  re. 
quired  but  the  use  of  the  seal|iing  knife,  lo  on(< 
rival  their  red  allies.  Twent^r-foar  of  tlie  best 
houses  in  the  town  were  burned,  nnd  the  ollierg 
plundered.  A  small  party  of  militia  were  8ta> 
tioned  at  Havro-de-Grace,  who,  on  the  approacli- 
of  the  enemy,  made  a  slight  resistance,  and  tbcn 
retreated.  An  Irishman,  named  O'Neil,  with  a 
Qourage  amounting  to  rashness,  and  an  enthusi- 
asm  not  confined  by  cold  loyalty,  opposed  his  sin- 
gle arm  to  tiie  Britisli  host,  was  taken  prisoner 
and  carried  on  board  the  British  fleet,  but  after- 
wards released  on  parole. 

His  countrymen,  residing  in  Philadelphia,  pre- 
sented the  brave  O'Neil  with  a  sword. 

From  Havre-dc-Grace,  the  enemy  proec^ded 
further  up  the  river,  and  burned  the  warehouse 
lielonging  to  Mr.  Stump,  and  a  furnace  belong- 
ing to  Mr.  Hughes,  at  Princippi. 

On  (he  morning  of  the  4th,  the  enemy  evacu- 
ated Havre-de-Graccy  and  proceeded  down  the 
bay. 

'  Tbe  next  exploit  of  the  enemy  was  the  burn- 
ing of  the  unprotected  villages  of  Frederick  and 
Georgetown;  the  former  in  Cecil  county,  <lie 
latter  in  Kent  county,  opposite  each  other  on  the 
Sassafras  river,  in  the  state  of  Maryland. 

The  movements  of  the  enemy  on  the  20th 
June,  having  indicated  a  design  to  attaek  Nor- 
folk, which  place  was  then  ill  prepared  for  de- 
fence, Captain  Tarbell,  finding  Craney  Island  ra- 
ther weak  mp«nned,  directed  Lieutenants  Neale, 
Shubrick,  and  Sanders,  with  100  seamen,  to  a 
small  hattery  at  the  N.  W.  point  of  the  island, 
At  5  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  22d,  theen- 
'  emy  was  discovered  landing  round  the  point  of 
IVansemond  river^  a  forcc^  reported  by  deserters 


*^Syj"  !^  ft]  fiOrl**; 


rtTr^'-aS!--S=r-^ 


HISTORY   OF   THE    WAB. 


i0± 


and  others,  to  exceed  8000  men  ;  at  S,  A*  M.  Ibo  , 
b;irp;cs  nUempteU  to  land,  in  front  of  the  Ulan^t 
an  mhlitional  force  of  1500»  »lien  Lieuti*  Meale, 
Sliubriok,  and  Sanders,  with  the  snilorfl  unuer 
their  c-oniinand,  and  the  marines  of  the  Constel-  « 
latiop  frigate,  150  in  number,  o(ienod  a  fire* 
ivhioh  was  so  well  direeted,  that  the  enemy  wan 
obliged  to  retreat  to  his  ships.  Three  of  IiSh 
largest  barges  were  sunk;  onp  of  t*  em»  ealled 
the  Centipede,  Admiral  Warren's  boat,  60  feet  in 
length,  earried  76  men,  the  greater  pai't  of  whom 
were  lost.  Several  of  the  boats  fell  baok>  in  the 
rear  of  the  island,  and  oommenced  throwing 
rockets  from  Mr.  Wise's  Louses ;  but  they  were 
qul^skly  compelled  to  move  off,  by  the  shot  di~ 
rected  to  that  quarter,  from  eun-boat  No.  67. — 
In  the  evening,  the  enemy's  boats  eame  round 
tho  point  .r  Nansemond,  and,  at  sun-set,  were 
seen  returning  to  their  ships,  full  of  men.  At  ' 
dusk,  they  strewed  the  shore  alon^i;  with  fires^  ia 
order  to  run  away  by  the  light.  k  '. 

The  British  troops,  that  were  previously  land> 
ed,  made  their  appearance  on  the  main  land,  ' 
with  a  view  to  attack  the  west  and  north  posi' 
tions  of  the  island,  but  with  no  better  success 
than  attended  the  men  in  the  boats.  Two  24» 
pounders  and  four  6  pounders  were  advantage- 
ously posted,  under  the  direction  of  Majnr  Faul- 
kener,  of  the  artillery,  which  were  so  we*l  serv- 
ed by  Captain  Emerson,  Lieutenants  Hall  and 
Godwia,  that  they  produced  u  serious  eUl'ct  on 
the  enemy,  who  was  soon  (5orapelled  to  retreat. 

Opposed  to  the  large  British  force,  there  were 
but  a  few  hundred  militia  and  artillerists;  ther6 
were  mounted  on  the  island  not  more  than  eight 
pieces  of  cannon  that  could  be  bruuji^ht  to  bear 
on  the  enemy.     «<  The  officers  of  the  Coustella^ 


b 


I  < 


Wi 


■  ISTOUY   OV  THE   XfAJ^ 


i  I 


tion>"  nccnrding  to  (he  ofBoial  report  of  Coiir. 
•Cas8in»  *•  iircdtbHr  18  pounders  more  like  rifle  i 
men  than  artillerists.** — I'his  defence  did  great: 
honour  to  the  few  Americans  who  were  engaged. 
]Norfull(  whs  an  important  post,  and  the  enemy 
•determined  on  its  occupation  |  the  force  sent 
sguiost  it  was  large;  Admiral  Cockburn  com- 
mauded  in  pcVson,  and  was  in  one  of  the  barges, 
encouraging  the  men  to  advance.  Some  French 
deserters  reported,  that  a  large  bounty  was  to 
be  given  to  the  men  in  the  event  of  success,  and 
that  it  was  promised  to  them,  that  Norfolk  wottld 
he  given  up  to  be  plundered." 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  could  not  be  less  than 
200,  exclusive  of  several  deserters;  22priSoncfs 
%vere  taken  ;  also  a  brass  3  pounder,  with  a  num- 
<ber  of  small  arms,  pistols,  cutlasses,  &o.  v  f- 
<  Not  a  man  was  lost  on  the  side  of  the  Amerl^ 
ckns  j  the  enemy  used  only  Congrove  rockets. 

On  the  S6th  June,  between  SO  and  40  barges 
were  discovered,  filled  with  men^  approaching 
the  inouth  of  Hampton  creek,  from  the  direction 
of  Kewporl's  Noose.  The  American  troops  were 
quickly  formed  on  Little-Kngland  plantation, 
south  west,  and  divided  from  Hampton  by  a  nar- 
row creek,  over  which  a  slight  foot  bricfge  had 
been  erected.  In  a  short  time,  the  enemy  com- 
menced landing  troops  in  rear  of  the  Americans. 
A  little  after  five  o'clock,  A.  M.  several  barges 
approached  Black-beard*s  Point,  the  headmost  of 
\rhich  commenced  a  firing  of  round  shot,  which 
was  returned  from  a  small  battery  of  four  long 
12  pounder^.  The  entire  of  the  ibi*ce  landed  by^ 
the  enemy,  consisted  of  at  least  2500  men,  sup- 
ported by  several  field- pieces,  and  some  heavy 
guns,  and  rockets:  the  American  troops  were 
Composed  of  319  infantry  and  rifle,  62  artillerists, 


miTOBT   Of  THE    WAV. 


i7» 


and  25  cavalry.  TliU  little  force  made  the  most 
judioiouD  and  best  deftMice  that  was  practioablct 
iiiantcuvriiig  and  disputhig  every  inch  of  ground. 
The  contest  was  at  one  time  very  sliarp,  and  Mrai* 
inainlaiMcd  with  a  resolution  that  left  hope  of  re- 
pelling the  invaders ;  hut  the  enemy*  bemg  very 
numerous,  attempted  to  outflank  and  out  off  the 
Americans,  when  part  of  the  latter  began  to  dis- 
perse in  various  (lircetions.  It  now  booamo  in- 
dispcnsibly  necessary  fur  all  the  Americans  to 
retire,  whioh  they  did  under  a  continued,  but  ill- 
directed  lire,  from  the  enemy,  who  pursued  thera 
ibi'  two  miles,  Tl^  Americans  occasionally 
stopped  at  a  fence  or  ditch,  and  at  every  fire 
brought  down  one  of  the  pursuing  foe. 

Capt.  Pryor,  witli  his  Lieutenants  Lively  and 
Jones,  and  bis  bi'ave,  active  matrosses,  after 
slaughtering  many  of  the  enemy  with  his  field 
pieces,  remained  on  the  ground  till  surrounded—- 
and  when  the  enemy  was  within  60  or  70  yarda 
of  the  fort,  they  spiked  their  guns,  broke  through 
the  enemy ^s  rear,  and,  by  swimming  a  creek, 
made  good  their  retreat  without  losing  a  man* 
taking  with  them  their  carbines,  and  biding  them 
in  the  woods. 

The  American  Toss  was  7  killed,  16  wounded, 
of  whom  2  died  of  their  wounds,  1  prisoner,  and 
It  missing.  The  enemy  took  possession  of  the 
village  of  Hampton^  after  siHTering  a  loss,  by  the 
most  probable  calculation,  of  at  least  200  men* 

Major  Crutohfieldy  who  comnrtanded  the  Ame- 
pieans,  states  the  enemy's  conduct,  in  the  follow-* 
ing  extract,  from  bis  ofii«ial  report :  •.  # , .  . 

"  To  give  you,  sir,,  an  idea  of  the  savage  like  dis* 
((osidon  of  the  enemy,  on  their  getting  possessien  oC 
the  neighbourhood,  would  be  a  vain  attempt*  Al-* 
(kongh  Sir  Sidney  Qeckwith  assured  px^j  that  poijit$ 


'  i 


if 


. 


s.\- 


,  f 

i:  ..j 

hn* 


J' -4 


m 


f 


J"  '..J 


v-,  "-■, 


.i; 


•  '  i 


'ir4i 


I^ISTOBT  OV  THE   WAR. 


\ 


'easiness  need  be  felt  in  relation  to  the  unfortunate 
Americans ;  the  fact  is,  that  yesterday  there  were 
several  dead  bodies  lying  unburied^  and  the  wounded 
sot  even  assisted  into  town,  although  observed  to  be 
crawling  through  the  fields  towards  a  cold  and  inhos- 
.pitable  protection. 

**  The  unfortunate  females  of  Hampton,  who  could 
not  leave  the  town,  were  abused  in  the  most  shame- 
ful manner  ;  not  only  by  the  soldiers,  but  by  the  ve- 
nal savage  blacks,  who  were  encouraged  in  their  ex- 
eessrs.  They  pillaged,  and  encouraged  every  act  of 
rapine  and  murder,  killing  ;.  oor  man  by  the  name 
of  Kerby,  who  had  been  lying  on  his  bed, at  the  point 
of  death,  for  more  than  six  weeks,  shooting  his  wife 
in  the  hip  at  the  fame  time,  and  killing  his  faithiul 
dog,  lying  under  his  feet.  The  murdered  Kerby 
'was  lying  last  night 'weltering  in  his  bed*"  i 

A  coniniittf  e  oi'  Corgrtsss,  in  a  report  to  the 
liousc,  thus  notice  this  Iransaction. 

<t  The  shrieks  of  the  innocent  victims  of  infernal 
lust  at  Hampton,  were  heard  by  the  Amepcan  pri- 
soners, but  were  too  weak  to  reach  the  ears  or  dis* 
tuib  the  repose  of  the  British  officers,  whose  duty, 
as  men,  required  them  to  protect  every  female  whoro 
the  fortune  of  war  had  thrown  into  their  power. 
The  committee  will  not  dwell  on  this  hateful  sub' 
ject.  Human  language  affords  no  terms  strong 
enough  to  expre&s  the  emotions  which  the  exami- 
nation of  this  evidence  has  awakened  ;  they  rejoice 
that  these  acts  have  appeared  so  incredible  to  the 
American  people.  ^  And,  for  the  honor  of  human  na- 
ture, they  deeply  regret,  that  the  evidences  so  clearly 
establish  their  trutlv.  In  the  correspondence  be- 
tween the  commander  of  the  American  and  British 
ibrces,  will  be  found  what  is  equivalent  to  an  admis* 
sion  of  the  facts  by  the  British  commander.'* 

'Hie  enemy  soon  evat  uaf ed  Hampton,  and  re- 
treated to  his  shipping,  to  avoid  the  punishment, 
^liieh^  had  he  rewjained^  \roi\|[d'hayc  soon  been 


llISTOliT    OV   TUB    WAB. 


173 


inilicled.  The  foUowitig  extract  of  a  letter  from 
Capt.  Cooper,  to  the  lieutenant  governer  of  Yh*- 
gtnia,  is  proof  of  shoeking  barbarity  which  would 
disgrace  the  savage  of  the  wilderness.  n 

'  «  I  was  yesterday  in  Hampton  with  my  troop— 
that  place  having  been  evacuated  in  the  morning  by 
the  British.  My  blood  ran  cold  at  what  I  saw  and 
heard.  The  few  distressed  inhabitants  running  up, 
in  every  direction  to  congratulate  us ;  te^rs  were 
shedding  in  every  corner— the  infamous  scoundrc]s> 
monsterS)  destroyed  every  thing  but  the  houses,  and» 
(iny  peii  is  almost  unwillifig  to  describe  it)  the  wo- 
men were  ravished  by  the  abandoned  ruffians. — Great 
God  I  My  dear  friend,  can  you  frgure  to  yourself 
our  Hampton  fennales,  beized  and  treated  With  vio- 
lence by  those  monsters,  and  not  a  solitary  Americati 
arm  pi^esent  to  avenge  their  wrongs  I  But  enough-—. 
I  can  no  more  of  this.  The  enemy  have  received  a 
reinforcement  of  2000— in  all,  6000  men ;  and  Nor- 
folk or  Richmond  is  their  immediate  a!m<  Protect 
yourselves  fioni  such  scenes  as  we  have  witnessed. 
They  retired  in  great  confusion,  leaving  3000  weight 
of  beef,  some  muskets,  ammunition,  canteens,  &c. 
and  some  of  their  men,  which  we  took.  It  is  sup- 
posed viat  they  apprehended  an  immediate  attack 
i'rom6000  of  our  men|  which  caused  them  to  retreat 
so  precipitately.  My  friend,  rest  assured  of  one 
thin|2f — that  they  cannot'  conquer  Americans— they  ' 
cannot  stand  them.  If  we  had  had  1200  men,  we 
should  have  killed  pr  taken  the  greater  part  of  them.*' 

Jn  further  proof  of  these  eaoriuities,  the  fol- 
lowing extract  is  given,  from  the  letter  of  a  gen- 
tleman of  great  respectability. 

"  At  present  you  must  content  yourself  with  the. 
&)llowing,  and  believe  it  as  i^ligiously  aa  anyfach 
beyond  denial.  Mrs.  TurnbuU  Was  pursued  up  to 
her  waist  in  the  Water,  and  dragged  on  shore  by  ten 
fir  twelve  o£  these  ruffians,  who  satiated  thur  bnita! 


» 


*^A 


>.  : 


.1 


fij 


'if   ^ri 


'  I 


i 


\\w  4  ''' 


*';'>' 

i;!!)'' i'.''^ 


17ft 


HISTORY  07  THE   VAB. 


\ 


desires  upon  her,  after  pulling  6ft  her  clotheS)  stock- 
ings, shoes,  Sec.  This  fact  was  seen  by  your  ne» 
phew,  Keith,  and  many  others.  Another  case—a 
married  womeni  her  name  unknown  to  me,  with  hev 
infant  child  in  her  arms,  fthe  child  forcibly  draggect 
from  her,)  shared  the  sanx  fate.  Two  young  wo- 
men, well  known  to  many,  whose  names  ivill  not 
be  revealed  at  this  time^  suffered  in  like  manner.-— 
Dr.  Colton,  Parson  Halson,  and  Mrs.  Hopkins,  have 
Informed  me  of  these  particulars*— another,  in  the 
presence  of  Mr.  Hope,  had  her  gown  cut  off  with 
u  sword,  and  violence  offered  in  his  presence,  which 
he  endeavoured  to  prevent,  but  had  to  quit  the  room, 
leaving  the  unfortunate  victim  in  their  possession, 
who,  no  doubt,  was  abused  in  the  same  way. 

"  Old  Mr.  Hope  himself  was  stripped  naked, 
pricked  with  a  bayonet  in  the  arm,  and  slapt  in  the 
lace— and  >v^re  I  to  mention  a  hundred  cases  in  ad- 
dition to  thki  above,  1  do  not  know  that  I  should  ex- 
aggerate." 

Admiral  Cockburn  is  the  redoubtable  hero, 
who  commanded  the  enemy  in  the  maitlt;  attack 
on  Hampton. 'If' 

On  the  2Cth  June,  three  of  the  enemy's  barges 
attempted  to  enter  Pagan  creek,  but  ^vere  rew 
sisted  by  a  detachment  of  militia ;  and  after  ex- 
changing I'l  shots,  \i'ithout  e^Tect  on  either  side, 
tbe  enemy  retired. 

The  enemy  had  such  a  total  command  of  the 
waters  of  the  Chesapeake,  and  the  rivers  falling 
into  it,  wherever  the  same  were   without  the 


*  James  O^Boylie,  an  Irishman,  residing  at  Pugh- 
town,  in  Virginm,  offered  a  reward  of  1,000  dollars, 
Ibr  the  head  of  "  the  notorious  incendiary,  and  in<- 
lamous  scoundrel,  and  violator  of  all  laws,  human 
snd  divine,  the  British  admiral;  Cockburn>  *  or  50& 
dQUars  fpr  each  of  hia.  earK 


,*M\fi  i 


HISTORY   OF  THE   WAR« 


ti77 


.range  of  ^shot  from  the  shore  $  and  his  move- 
inenC9  were  so  various,  that  a  general  alarm  was 
excited  in  the  neighbourhood  of  these  waters  ; 
ilie  troops  were  necessarily  kept  embodied,  and 
moving  in  a  manner,  which  occasioned  distres- 
sing and  harrassing^  difficulties.  Tjie  fate  of 
the  females^  at  Hampton  excited  an  indignation, 
and  roused  a  patriotism  And  a  love  of  family 
kindred,  which  stifled  all  complaints  among  the 
harrassed  soldiery  of  Virginia  and  Maryland.— 
»  Hampton"  was  a  watch-word,  at  which  every 
})usband,  father,  brother,  and  man,  took  his  gun 
and  fled  with  willingness,  to  meet  the  ruffians, 
who  threatened,  with  worse  than  murder,  the 
fair  daughters  of  America. 

It  would  scarcely  be  interesting  to  detail  «very 
petty  landing,  skirmisli  and  adventure,  that  oc- 
curred, while  the  enemy  remained  in  the  Chesa- 
peake— (he  most  conspicuous  of  them  will;  how- 
ever, be  noticed.    . 

A  party  of  the  enemy  landed  a  little  belovr 
Jaines-Town,  on  the  2d  July,  but  were  repulsed 
by  the  militia.  Two  of  the  enemy  were  killed, 
two  taken,  and  several  wounded.  The  militia 
suflered  no  loss. 

On  the  14th  July,  the  U,  S.  schooner  Asp, 
was  attacked  in  Yccimo  river,  by  ihn  crews  of 
two  brigs,  who  put  off  in  their  boats,  for  that  pur- 
jwse.  The  boats,  S  in  number,  \'sti'e  beaten  oif 
by  the  well  directed  fire  from  the  Asp;  about 
an  Itour  after,  the  boats  returned,  with  two 
other  boats»  well  manned.  There  were  hut  21 
men  on  board  the  Asp,  and  they  could  not  ef- 
fectually resist  the  great  force  sent  against 
them ;  they,  however,  defended  themselves  ob- 
stinately anci  bravely  ;  nor  did  they  retreat  until 
after  the  Asp  was  boarded  by  more  than  50  of 


-m 


1  rf 


n-\:] 


M 


M 


''♦■.! 


M 


<  f 


-  ; 


178 


HISTOBY  OF  TBB    WAB^ 


'\ 


the  eneiriy.  Tiro  enemy  set  the  vetsel  on  ilre. 
'  After  their  retreats  the  survivors  of  the  brave 
'  Ameriean  crew«  went  on  board  and  extioguisbcd 
the  flames.  The  American  loss  in  kiUed  and 
wounded,  amounted  to  10  men.  Mr.  Sigourney, 
tthe  intrepid  commander  of  the  Asp^  was  amonir 
Ihe  killed. 

f  Some  essays,  published  by  the  late  Robert 
Fulton,  on  the  praeticability  of  destroying  ships 
by  tifrpedoeSf  induced  several  persons  to  turn 
their  thoughts  to  this  subject.  A  Mr.  Mix,  of 
the  navy,  aeoompanied  by  Captain  Bowman,  of 
Salem,  and  Midishipman  M<Gowan,  essayed  to 
destroy  the  ship  of  war  Plantagenet,  of7i 
guns,  lying  in  Lynnhaven  bay.  For  this  pur- 
pose, they  proceeded  in  a  boat,  in  the  nignt  of 
the  24th  July,  1813,  and  having  reached  within 
100  yards  of  the  ship,  dropped  the  torpedo.  It 
was  swept  along  by  the  tide,  but  exploded  a  few 
secoifds  before  it  would  have  come  in  contact  with 
the  vessel.  It  produced  great  consternation  and 
eonfusbn  on  board  the  vessel,  and  induced  seve. 
ral  of  the  crew  to  take  to  their  boats.  I'he 
ship  was  greatly  agitated,  and  some  damage 
done  by  the  violent  motion  of  the  water.  The 
noise,  oceasioned  by  the  explosion,  was  loud  and 
tremendoius ;  and  the  appearance  of  the  water^ 
thrown  up  in  a  eolumn  of  30  or  40  feet  high, 
awfully  sublime.  It  has  not  been  ascertained 
that  any  lives  were  lost. 

The  fleet,  under  command  of  Admiral  Cock- 
burn,  returned  to  the  Chesa|)eake  on  the  16th 
July,  after  an  invasion  of  North-Carolina,  where 
the  country  was  pillaged  and  laid  waste  by  the 
enemy,  for  several  miles.  On  the  12th,  a  part 
of  this  fleet,  consisting  of  two  74's,  3  frigates, 
and  3  schooners^  appeared  off  Ueracock  hah 


A: 


ifi^.. 


BI6T0BT  OT  THE  VAB. 


179 


in  Norili-Carolins^  and  immediately  despatched, 
in  iioatSf  between  700^  and  800  men,  wbo  uttaok- 
cd  the  privateer  Anaconda,  and  schooner  Atlas, 
l^iDg  inside  the  bar.  There  were  but  18  men  on 
board  the  Anaeonda,  who  resitted  the  Iioals  as 
Jong  as  they  could*  until  finding  that  the  vesisel 
must  be  taken,  they  difohareed  the  guns  into  the 
liuU ;  but  the  enemy  boarded  her  in  time  to  plug 
the  holes.  The  Atlas,  and  some  small  craft, 
were  captured.  The  enemy  took  possession  of 
Oeraeock,  and  the  town  of  Portsmouth,  with- 
out opposition. 

Mrs.  Gaston,  of  Newbum,  wife  of  the  mem- 
|)cr  of  Congress,  being  told  that  the  British  had 
landed,  and  would  shortly  be  in  possession  of 
Newburn,  fell  into  convulsive  fits,  and  expired 
in  a  few  hours.  Mrs.  Curtis  died  in  a  similar 
manner,  and  a  Mrs.  Shepherd  was  at  the  point 
of  death*  but  has  recovered.  Apprehensions  of 
being  treated  like  the  unfortunate  ft^males  of 
Hampton,  it  is  supposed,  produced  this  extraor* 
dinary  degree  of  terror.  A  large  body  of  mili- 
tia and  volunteers  were  assembled  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Portsmouth,  and  on  the  point  of  attack- 
ing the  enemy,  when  he  thought  prudent  to  re- 
tire. ■' 

Lieut.  Angus,  commanding  the  Delaware  flo* 
tilia,  hcivm^  discovered,  on  the  27th  July,  that 
the  enemy  had  chased  and  taken  a  small  vessel, 
near  the  Overfalls,  got  under  way,  and  stood 
for  the  enemy.  At  the  distance  of  about  three 
quarters  of  a  mile,  he  brought  the  enemy's  sloop 
of  war  to  action,  having  anchored  for  that  pur- 
pose, 8  ff*^".  boats,  and  2  block>ships,  in  a  line 
ahead.  A  heavy  British  frigate,  had,  by  this 
time,  anchored  about  half  a  mile  further  out. — 
After  a  cannonade  of  one  hour  and  45  minutes, 


,f 


-  Ilv'i   vl 


"'  'M-r 


±s& 


1,/ 


lAntoMt  or  TMfi  wau. 


W 


in  iivhich  the  enemy  reoeired  several  bTioU  wliU- 
out  any  material  damage  l)eingdon«  to  the  ilotUla, 
be  manned  his  boats,  10  in  numl)er»  (2  launches, 
the  rest  large  barges  and  cutters,)  ivith  lieiween 
30  and  ^0  men  in'each,  and  despatehed  them  af- 
ter gun-boat  No.  121,  sailing-master  Shead, 
litrhieh  had  fallen  a  mile  and  a  halt*  out  Of  tlic 
line,  and  succeeded  in  capturing  her,  alter  a  gal- 
lant resistance.  The  enemy  would  have  been 
totally  defeated,  had  he  not  been  favoured  Uy  a 
ealni,  which  enabled  him  to  carry  off  the  gun- 
boat No.  121,  the  colours  of  which  were  not 
struck  until  after  being  boarded.  The  sound  of 
eannon,  on  tbis  occasion,  was  heard  at  the  city  of 
Washington,  a  distance  of  130  miles.  ^ 

Sailing  maHter  Shcad  concludes  his  ofticial  t>e- 
porl  in  the  following  words;       ^,^,'-z^'>' 

**  I  founri  it  necessary,  for  the  preserviation  of  those 
few  valuable  lives  left,  to  surrender  to  seven  times 
our  number ;  the  enemy  boarding,  loaded  our  decks 
with  men ;  we  were  all  driven  below,  and  it  was  with 
the  utmost  difiicidty  that  (he  officei-s  could  stay  the 
reven^^e  of  the  seamen,  who  seemed  to  thirst  for 
blood  and  plunder,  the  last  of  which  they  had.  by  rob- 
bing us  of  every  thing ;  we  had  none  killed,  but  7 
wounded,  5  slightly.^  The  enemy's  loss  by  us,  was 
7  killed}  and  13  wounded,  4  of  which  have  since 
died.  They  have  conquered  mC)  but  they  have  paid 
dearly  for  it ;  and  I  trust,  Sir,  when  you  come  to  view 
the  disadvantage**  that  I  laboured  under,  having  been 
but  I  days  on  board  my  boat,  and  scarcely  time  to 
static i!  my  ;.ien,  and  the  misfortune  of  entirely  dis- 
abling*^ my  gun,  and  the  superiority  of  numbers  to 
oppose  me,  you  will  De  convinced  that  the  flag  I  had 
the  honour  to  wear,  has  not  lost  any  of  that  national 
character  which  has  ever  been  attached  to  it." 

It  is  painful  to  the  historian,  that  while  he  re- 
ct>rd8  the  many  instances  of  virtuous  patriotism. 


HIiT«BT  OT  TUE  WAB. 


181 


•nd  glorions  pronesst  which  signalized  the  citi- 
zens and  inhabitants  of  the  United  States,  it  be- 
comes also  his  duty  to  record  their  crimes  and 
treasons.  Much  consolation  is,  however,  deriv- 
ed from  the  reflection,  that  patriotiiim  was  the 
prevailing  sentiment  of  a  great  majority  of  the 
pi^ople.  The  following  general  order  was  pub- 
lished* and  dated  from  the  n»vy  department,  at 
the  city  of  Washington*  and  sent,  as  a  circular^ 
to  the  eonimanding  officers  of  stations,  or  ves- 
sels of  the  navy  of  the  United  States. 

(<  The  palpable  and  criminal  intercourse  held  with 
the  enemy's  forces,  blockading  and  invading  the  wa- 
ters and  shores  of  the  U.  States,  is,  in  a  military  viewy 
an  offtnce  of  so  deep  a  die,  as  to  call  for  the  vigilant 
interposition  of  ail  the  naval  officers  of  the  United 
Slates. 

M  This  intercourse  is  not  only  carried  on  by  fo- 
reigners, under  the  specious  garb  of  friendly  flags, 
who  convey  provisions,  water,  and  succours  of  all 
kinds*  (ostensibly  destined  for  friendly  ports,  in  the 
face,  too,  of  a  declared  and  rigorous  blockade*)  di- 
rect to  the  fleets  and  stations  of  the  enemy,  with  con- 
stant intelligence  of  our  naval  and  military  force  and 
preparation,  and  the  means  of  continuirg  and  con- 
ducting the  invasion  to  the  greatest  pos.M'^le  anooy* 
ance  of  the  country ;  but  the  same  traffic*  intercourse^ 
and  intelligence,  is  carried  on  with  great  subtilty 
and  treachery,  by  profligate  citizens,  who*  in  vessels 
ostensibly  nadgati  tg  our  waters,  from  port  to  port», 
under  cover  of  night*  nr  other  circumstances  favour- 
ing their  turpitude,  find  means  to  conv^^y  succours  or 
intelligence  to  the  enemy,  and  elude  the  penalty  of 
the  law.  This  lawless  trade  and  intercourse  is  also 
carried  on  to  a  great  extent,  in  craft,  whose  capacity 
exempts  them  from  the  regulations  of  «he  revenue 
laws,  and  from  the  vigilence  which  vessels  of  greater 
capacity  attract* 


ym^ 


If' . 


.1: 


I 


it:,'        f 

IB-,!  .¥i 


•i*: 


1 


1  ;«  ■ 


il 


■0* 


1 


1J2 


BI8T0BT  OF  THE  WAM. 


(*  T  am  therefore  comiranded  by  the  President  o^ 
the  United  StateS}  to  enjoin  and  direct  all  uaval  com- 
manding offictrb)  to  exercise  the  strictest  vigilencci 
and  to  stpp  or  detain  all  vessels  or  craft,  whiitsoeverf 
proceedl^ig)  or  apparently  intending  to  proceed)  to* 
wards  the  enemy's  vessels  within  the  waters,  or  hov- 
ering about  the  harbours  of  the  United  Stutes ;  or 
towards  any  station  occupied  by  the  enemy,  within 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States,  from  which 
ve&sels  or  craft'the  enemy  might  derive  succours  or 
intelligence. 

W.  JONES." 

The  enemy*  <he  better  to  carrj  his  pi'ojccts  in 
the  Chesapeake  into  execution,  too.  possession  of 
Kent-island,  and  fortified  the  narrows ;  which 
utation  he,  however,  soon  afterward  deserti'cL 
On  the  loth  August,  he  made  an  attack  on  St. 
]Micl>ae],  with  11  barges,  which  went  up  the 
river  on  tlie  opposite  side,  and  came  down  on  (he 
side  of  St.  Michael,  Willi  so  little  noise,  that  they 
were  not  perceived  psissing  up  or  down  the  river; 
and  as  it  was  very  cloudy,  and  the  men  in  the 
fort,  without  suspicion  of  attack,  the  enemy 
landed  before  they  were  discovered.  The  men 
fired  (wo  guns  aoil  left  the  fort,  of  which  the  en- 
emy immediately  took  possession,  and  gave  three 
•heerSf  supposing  they  would  have  St.  Michael 
H^ithout  much  diifieulty ;  but  they  were  very 
much  mistaken,  for  (be  St.  Michael's  people,  and 
Capt.  dickers,  of  the  Easton  packet,  tvith  the 
artillery  from  Easton,  attacked  them  so  briskly, 
and  pointed  their  guns  with  so  much  judgment, 
that  our  invaders  weire  soon  obliged  to  makeoif-^ 
the  infantry  were  not  engaged.  Not  a  man  of 
the  American!  ^urt, although  the  grape  shot 

flew  like  bail   ...       3  town,  and  their  balls  went 
through  a  number  of  the  houses.    The  t^o 


V, 


HISTORY   OT  THff  WAB. 


18S 


shots  that  were  fired  fi  otn  the  fort  must  haye 
done  some  exeoution>  as  a  quantity  of  blood  was 
seen  on  the  shore,  and  twu  swords  and  a  pistol 
were  left  behind,  and  Iheir  barges  were  seen  to 
be  struck  by  the  artillery  from  Ihe  town. 

On  the  moi'Ding  of  the  14th  August,  at  four 
o*elook,  the  eneuiy  attacked  Queenstown,  in 
Queen  Anne  county,  both  by  land  and  water  f— 
about  600  troops  were  landed  and  marched  up 
to  the  town,  and  20  armed  barges  made  the  at* 
taek  by  water— the  attack  was  so  uoexpectcdy 
that  but  little  resistance  was  made— a  picket 
guard  of  the  American  militia  were  fired  on  by 
the  enemy,  1  of  them  was  killed,  and  2  or  S 
wounded — the  militia  retreated  to  Centreville^ 
and  left  the  enemy  in  possession  of  the  town. 

Were  the  enemy  to  confine  himself  to  the  cap* 
turing  of  vessels  and  their  cargoes,  and  the  de- 
struction of  public  property,  he  would  be  Justi- 
fiable ;  but  it  is  due  to  truth,  not  to  conceal,  that» 
departing  from  all  established  rules  of  warfare, 
he  not  only  carried  oflf  private  property,  when- 
ever he  could  seize  it,  but  also  destroyed  what* 
ever  he  could  reach,  and  could  not  remove.  On 
the  2d  November,  he  landed  on  George's  island^ 
and  burned  all  the  buildings  on  it,  he  decoyed  a 
great  number  of  negroes,  with  a  promise  to 
make  them  /ree — and  afterwards  shipped  these 
wretches  to  the  West-Indies,  where  they  were 
sold  as  slaves,  for  the  benefit  of  British  officers* 
The  following  device  was  practiced  with  success. 

A  party  of  militia,  (17  in  number,)  stationed 
themselves  beliind  the  Sand-hil!s,  while  two  white 
men,  ^Ith  their  faces  and  hands  blacked,  wen6 
down  upon  the  beach,  and  waved  their  hand- 
kerchiefs to  the  ships,  when  a  boat,  with  six  mens 
immediately  came  ^hore>  followed,   at    some 


;kf^i 


.»     '^,' 


■i:^  ''-i 


tM 


HlftTORT  OV  TBS   WAR. 


iistanee,  by  two  others,  full  of  men.  Just  as  the 
luen  fi'om  the  first  boat  were  pi'e|*»ring  to  landi 
•ne  of  tlioHc  disguiNed,  in  walkins  a  iew  steps, 
•honied  hi»  bare  ancles,  which  Tie  oniitfrd  to 
blacken,  when  the   enemy  exclaimed— •«  H'hitt 

men  in  disguise,  hy ;   let  us  push  off  r^ 

which  tliey  did,  and,  at  the  same  moment,  the 
tiiitifia  ran  out  and  fired  upon  them»  until  they 
Here  out  of  gun-shot ;  they  killed  two  out  of  the 

It  would  be  impossible,  in  the  compass  allot- 
ted to  this  work,  to  do  justice  to  the  enemy  :— 
hill  barbarous  and  plundering  conduct  in  the 
Chesapeake,  and  adjoining  riTers,  can  only  be 
equalled  by  the  conduct  of  the  same  enemy  in  a 
former  war.  «  The  species  of  warfare,"  says 
the  editor  of  a  Norfolk  paper,  <•  waged  by  Cap. 
tain  Lloyd  of  the  Plantagenet,  on  the  inhabi* 
imU  of  Princess  Anne  county,  is  of  that  pitiful 
and  dishonourable  kind,  which  cannot  fail  to  at- 
tach a  lasting  stigma  to  his  character,  and  cause 
\m  name  to  descend  to  oblivion,  coupled  with 
tiiat  of  the  infamous  Dunmore,  and  elogged  ivith 
i\\if  bitter  execrations  of  all  who  shall  hear  the 
taV^  of  his  rapacity." 

The  Norfolk  Herald  thus  ably  and  humanely 
notices  the  seizing  and  carrying  off  negroes. 

<(  To  take  cattle  or  other  stock,  would  be  consis- 
tent with  the  usage  of  civilized  warfare ;  but  to  take 
>Jegroe8,  v?ho  are  human  brings  s  to  tear  them  for- 
ever from  their  kindred  and  connexions  is  what  we 
should  never  expect  from  a  Christian  nation,  espe- 
•ially  one  that  has  done  so  much  to  abolish  the 
•slave  trade."  There  are  Negroes  in  Virginia, 
and  we  believe  in  all  the  southern  states,  who  have 
their  interests iind  affections  as  strongly  engrafted 
ilk  their  hearts,  as  the  whites,  and  who  feel  the  sacred 


SSfaa 


ft. 

!•  Just  as  the 
tftring  to  land, 
X  a  few  steps, 
lie  oniitfrd  to 
imed— •*  H'hiit 
push  offr-' 
»  moDieiit,  the 
em,  until  they 
i  two  out  of  the 

compass  allot- 
I  the  enemy  :— 
conduct  in  the 
>8,  can  only  be 
kme  enemy  in  a 
warfare,"  says 
waged  by  Cap- 
on the  inhabi- 
8  of  that  pitiful 
mnot  fail  to  at- 
icter,  and  cause 
n,  coupled  with 
nd  elogge^l  with 
shall  hear  the 

and  humanely 
iff  negroes. 

would  be  consis- 
fare ;  but  to  take 
o  tear  them  for- 
xions  is  what  we 
ian  nation)  espe* 
to  abolish  the 
es  in  Virginia, 
states,  who  have 
ongly  engi'Jifted 
o  feel  the  sacred 


msTOItT^  OP  THE  Vfknk 


i8^ 


des  of  filiate  parental,  and  conjugal  afTection,  equally 
strong,  and  who  are  warmly  attached  to  their  owners, 
and  the  scenes  of  their  nativity.  To  those,  no  in- 
ducement, which  the  enemy  could  offer,  would  be 
sufficient  to  tempt  them  away.  To  drag  them  a- 
way,  then,  by  force,  would  be  the  greatest  cruelty. 
Yes,  it  is  reserved  for  England,  who  Coasts  of  her  re- 
ligion, and  love  of  humanity,  to  pr*  :e  this  piece  of 
cruelty,  so  repugnant  to  the  diet: '-  h  of  Christianity 
aud  civilization.'* 

,  The  groat  vigilance  and  a«!tit**.y  of  the  citi- 
zens, tended  not  only  to  disappointr  but  frequent- 
ly to  punish  the  marauders. 

On  the  lith  September,  about  15  men  volun- 
teered from  a  militia  company,  stationed  near 
the  inlet,  at  Norfolk,  to  go  and  attack  a  party  of 
the  British,  who  were  said  to  be  on  shore  at  the 
Gape.  \¥hen  they  canio  to  the  Cape,  and  were 
mounting  one  of  the  sand  hills,  they  found  them- 
selves in  full  view,  and  within  musket-shot  of  ft 
large  body  of  marines,  who  were  exercising.  A 
cluster  of  officers  were  standing  somii;  distance 
off,  between  their  main  body  and  our  militia — ^the 
latter  had  not  a  moment  to  spare  ;  they  took  de- 
liberate aim  at  the  officers  and  fired  ^  four  of 
them  fell !  The  militia  then  made  the  best  of 
(heir  way  back  to  camp,  while  the  enemy's  shot 
whistled  over  their  heads  in  all  directions^  but 
without  effect.  .:  ,    if 

The  proceedings  of  the  enemy  along  the  coast; 
ea«t  of  the  Delaware,  were  not  generally  impor- 
tant. 

The  frigate  United  States,  Com.  Decatur; 
frigate  Maeedonian,  Capt.jQnes;  and  sloop  of 
,war  Hornet,  Capt.  Biddlcon  the  24tb  May,  got 
tinder  way  from  New-  fork,  with  an  intention  of 
gooeeeding  to  sea  through  the  Sound.     Y/hen 

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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporalion 


23  WIST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MSSO 

(716)872-4503 


'^ 


'*i> 


.ft' 


180 


HISTOET  OV  THB  W1B« 


.V:-^^ 


•ff  Ilani's  Fbint  the  maimniMt  of  the  United 
states  was  struek  with  lightnitigy  which  tore 
away  the  Commodore'e  broiid  pendaDl,  and 
broneht  it  down  on  deck,  passed  into  one  df  the 
port-hoiefl,  down  the  after  hatehwaj,  through 
the  ward  room  into  the  doctor's  room,  put  out 
his  candle,  tore  up  his  bed,  and  then  passed  be- 
tween the  sliiaand  ceiling  of  the  ship,  and  tore 
up  about  20  nails  of  her  copper  at  water's  edge. 
!No  further  trace  of  it  could  be  discovered.  The 
Macedonian  was  about  100  yards  astern  of  the 
United  States,  and  on  observing  the  lightning 
strilie  her,  immediately  hove  her  topsails  aback, 
fearing  that  the  fire  might  finJl  its  way  to  t|e 
magazine. 

On  the  1st  of  June,  the  vessels  attempted  to 
put  to  sea,  but  were  chased  into  New-London  by 
a  British  force,  consisting  of  a  74,  a  razee,  and 
a  frigaie.  The  blockade  of  New-London  was 
immediately  formed;  and  the  inhabitants  very 
highly  alarmed  lest  the  town  would  be  attacked. 

On  the  21st  June,  the  British  privateer  Buck- 
skin, (formerly  belonging  to  Salem,)  chased  a 
coaster  into  Owl  Head  Narrows,  (a  small  har- 
bour in  MassaehugettH.)  where  five  others  were 
lying,  the  whole  of  which  were  captured  and  re- 
inoVe<l  down  into  w^at  is  oalled  the  Thorough- 
fiire^  preparatory  to  being  manned  out,  and  they 
began  unlading  one  of  the  sloops,  into  whieh 
they  intended  to  put  the  prisoners.  During  this 
time,  from  2  to  800  militia  collected,  and  pro-. 
•eeded  down  to  Fox  Island,  it  being  thick  foggy 
weather,  when  at  1-2  past  8,  en  the  morning  of 
the  S2d,  the  fog  clearing  away»  the  privateer  ap- 
peared at  anchor  about  20  rods  from  the  shore, 
where  they  commenced  firing  upon  her  with 
ioBttU  arms^  and  ob«  field  pieee^  w»h  kiUed  tHi^ 


■:"*:■,■■■*" 


■..\ 


•I , 


I  I 


HISTOXY  OF  THB  WAX. 


187 


primteenmen  almost  a»  fkst  as  thej  eame  on 
deek.  The  Ist  lieutenant  eut  the  cables  aad  in 
attempting'  to  hoist  the  jih,  (lying  flat,  on  his 
back))  had  his  under  jaw  shot  away;  the  eaptain 
was  killed ;  and  but  9  men,  it  is  saiuV  remained 
nnhnrty  the  rest  being  either  killed  or  wounded. 
It  being  ebb  tide>  she  drifted  out,  and  wheil  out 
of  the  reaeh  of  the  musketry,  got  under  way, 
leaving  all  her  prizes,  whieh  again  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  rigiitful  owners.  The  erews  put  in 
to  man  them,  in  attempting  to  eseape  to  the  pri- 
Yateer  in  boats,  were  either  killed  or  wounded^ 
The  action  lasted  an  hour. 

On  the  23d  June,  two  barges,  eontaioing  eaeh 
about  15  men,  from  the  blockading  squadron  off 
New-LdndoB,  attempted  to  land  near  the  light- 
house, but  on  observing  a  ooropaiiy  of  artiltery 
near  the  shore,  pulled  off  as  fast  as  possible 
When  the  enemy  imagined  themselves  out  t>f 
danger,  they  stood  in  die  barges  and  obeered. 
At  diis  moment  a  shot  was  nrcd  from  the  ar- 
tillery, which  struck  one  of  the  boats>  and  killed 
or^wounded  eight  or  ten  of  the  men  in  it 

A  Mr.  Scudder  formed  a  design  of  destroying 
the  British  ship  Ramilies,  of  74  guns,,  off  New- 
London.  For  this  purpose  ten  kegs  of  powder 
were  put  into  a  strong  cask,  with  a  quantity  of 
sulphar  mixed  into  it.  At  the  head  of  the  cask 
was  fixed  two  gun-looks^  with  cords  fastened  to 
the  triggers,  and  to  the  under  side  of  the  barrels 
in  the  hatchway,  so  thai  it  was  Impossible  to 
hoist  the  barrels  without  springing  the  lockt 
eaeh  side  of  the  powder— and  on  the  top  wa» 
^aeed  a  quantity  of  turpentine,  and  spirits  of 
turpentine,  whicji  in  all  probability  was  soffloieni 
to  have  destroyed  any  vessel'  that  ever  floated 
on  the  water>  if  she  could  litvc  been  got  »loii|^ 


I  ■  ',1 


iif 


las 


lilBTORT  OP  THE  WAB* 


side,  ivhich  was  the  objeet  in  "view.  These  keg» 
were  put  on  board  the  smack  Eaf^e^  whieh 
saibd  from  New- York  on  the  15ih  June,  for 
New-London,  but  wbieh  the  crew  abandoned,  on 
being  pursued  by  the  boats  of  the  enemy.  It 
was  expected  that  the  vessel  would  be  brought 
alone  side  the  Ramilies;  and,  by  exploding, 
would  destroy  t^iat  ship.  The  wind  dying  away, 
and  the  tide  being  against  tbem«  she  could  not 
be  brought  along  side.  When  the  Eagle  ex- 
ploded,'there  were  four  boats  along  side,  and  a 
great  many  men  on  board  her;  After  the  ex- 
plosion, there  was  not  a  vestige  of  the  boats  to 
be  seen  ;  the  body  of  fire  rose  to  a  vast  height^ 
and  then  burst  like  a  rocket.  Every  man  neat 
or  about  her  were  probably  lost,  as  the  boats 
sent  frond  the  Ramilies  were  seen  to  return  with- 
out picking  up  any  thing.        ,    . 

On  the  10th  June,  three  barges  belonging  to 
the  blockading  squadron,  after  capturing  some 
sloops  at  the  mouth  of  Connecticut  river,  at- 
tempted to  land  at  Saybrook,  but  were  beaten  off 
by  th^  militia.  The  enemy  had  thre«  men  killed 
.on  this  occasion.    The  militia  escaped  unhurt. 

On  Ihe  24th  July,  a  1st  and  Sd  lieutenant,  a 
sailing-master,  and  five  inen,  belonging  to  the  Ra^ 
nilies,  ^yere  surprised  and  taken  on  Gardner's 
Island,  by  a  party  of  the  crew  of  the  United 
States,  despatched  for  the  pur;  ^,  by  Com.  De- 
•atnr.  The  prisoners  were  \  jUed,  and,  be- 
ing at  liberty,  were  joined  by  others  of  their 
erew.  When  they  found  themselves  sufllciently 
strong  to  seize  and  carry  off  the  American  boat. 
There  was  aa  attempt  also  made  to  iittereept 
.the  American  party,  but  they  escaped  in  a  whale- 
boat  to  Sag- Harbour,  from  whcno<»  they  retucu^ 
tdi  in  safetyi  to  New-iiondQik  i  r  a   m  / 


HISTOBT  Of  THE  WAB* 


189 


Shortly  after  thit  transaetion«  Mr.  Joeliuii 
Penny,  of  Eattbampton,  Long-Iiiland,  was  ta- 
ken out  of  his  bed  during  tbe  night,  by  a,  party 
from  the  eriemy*t  iihip,  and,  being  brought  on 
board  the  Ramilie •,  was  put  in  irons.  Majop 
Case,  oommanding  the  troops  of  the  U.  States 
at  Sag- Harbour,  demanded  his  release  as  a  non* 
eombatant ;  but  tbe  British  offiuer,  Capt.  Hardy, 
declined,  on  the  ground  that  he  was  a  oombatf 
ant— that  he  oonduoted  a  party  of  seamen  from 
Kew-London  to  Gardner*s  Island,  there  to  sur* 
prise  and  take  several  British  ofRcers— that  hit 
name  had  been  entered  on  the  books  of  one  of 
the  frigates,  and  that  he  had  been  « l^mplOyed  in 
a  boat  contrived  for  the  jmrpoee,  under  the  com" 
mand  of  Thomas  WelUng,  prepared  with  a  tor» 
peio,  to  destroy  tfus  (Capt.  Hardy's)*  «fct'p.*'  Tbig 
last  crtme  was  undoubtedly  that  which  led  to 
the  capture  and  severe  treatment  of  Mr.  Penny* 
He  was  treated  with  grea^.  severity  while  on 
board  the  Ramilies,  from  whieh  vessel  he  wai 
sent  to  Halifax,  where  he  was  treated  like  other 
prisoners.  He  was  sent  to  Salem  in  a  cartel 
ship,  in  May,  1814,  and  probably  owed  not  only 
his  liberation,  but  his  life,  to  the  ciroumstance 
that  the  President  of  the  United  States  ordered 
two  British  subjects  to  be  held  as  hostages  for 
the  safety  of  Mr.  Penny. 

«The  New-London  blockading  squadron  came» 
on  the  8th  September,  by  the  Sound,  to  a  place 
about  20  miles  from  the  city  of  New-Yorii,  cap- 
tured 20  coasters,  took  a  quantity  of  sheep  from 
tbe  main,  and  had  probably  other  robberies  or 
injuries  in  view.  Com.  Lewis,  on  receiving  in«. 
formation  of  the  enemy's  movement,  proe^eil 
up  the  Sound,  with  25  gun-boats.  By  9  o'clock 
on  the  9th,  he  was  at  Sands's  Pointy  withio  10 


I  hi 


190 


HI8T0BT  OT  THE  WAB» 


J- 


milei  of  the  enemy.  A  British  frigate  and  a 
sloop  of  war  got  under  waj  and  stolid  to^raid 
them.  At  one  o'cloek,  P.  M.  the  commodore 
brought  hb  flotilla  to  anchor  in  Hempstead  bay, 
ready,  to  receive  the  enemy.  The  British  ex- 
ohanged  10  or  15  shots  at  too  great  a  diittanee  to 
produce  any  efil^cty  and  then  stood  to  the  east- 
ward, and  were  soon  out  of  sight.  The  flotilla 
returned  to  Its  former  station. 
'  On  the  5tb  July,  the  British  tender  Eagle, 
which  had  been  employed  1^  Com.  Beresford, 
for  the  purpos^  of  burnii^  coasters,  &c.  was  ta- 
ken by  a  eoup  de  main.  The  smack  Yankee  was 
borrowed  for  this  purpose.  Sailing-mastel^  Pen- 
•elval  went  on  board,  and  concealed  30  men  ia 
life  hold^  he  tied  a  calf,  a  sheep,  and  a  goose  on 
de^k,  and,  thus  prepared,  he  stood  out  of  Mus- 
qnito  CoYC ;  three  men  appeared  on  deck.  The 
Etigle,  on  perceiving  the  smack,  immediately 

Save  chase,  and  after  coming  up  with  her,  and 
Qding  she  had  live  stock  on  deck,  ordered  her 
to  go  down  to  the  commodore,  then  about  five 
miles  distant.  The  helmsman  of  the  smack  an- 
swered *<  aye,  aye,  sir,"  and  apparently  put  up 
the  helm  for  .that  purpose,  which  brought  him 
along  side  the  Eagle,  not  more  than  three  yards 
distant.  The  watch- word,  Laitrrence,  was  then 
given,  when  the  armed  men  rushed  on  deck 
from  their  hiding  places,  and  poured  into  her  a 
f  olley  of  musketry,  which  struck  her  crew  with 
dismay,  and  drove  them  down  so  precipitately 
into  the  hold  of  the  vessel,  that  they  had  not 
time  to  strike  their  colours.  Seeing  the  enemy's 
deck  dear.  Sailing-master  Perceival,  who  com- 
manded the  expedition,  ordered  his  men  to  cease 
firing«~upon  whieh  one  of  the  enemy  came  out 
of  the  hold  and  struck  the  colours  of. the  Eagle* 


u.-Mitr.'-JoUm'iif 


HI9T0BT  OV  THB  WAR* 


101 


Ske  liad  on  board  a  St  peund  brass  bowitzery 
loaded  with  eannister  shot ;  but  so  sadden  was 
the  snrprisey  they  had  not  time  to  disebai^  it. 
The  croMT  of  the  Eagle  consisted  of  U.  Morrisy ' 
master's  mate  of  the  Pokliers,  "W.  Price,  niid- 
sliipmaBy  and  11  seamen  and  marines.  Mr.  Mor- 
ris was  killed,  Mr.  Priee  mortally  wounded,  and 
one  marine  killed  and  one  wounded,  'rhc  Eagle, 
with  the  prisoners)  arrived  off  the  Battery  in  the 
afternoon,  and  landed  (he  prisoners  at  Whitehall, 
amidst  the  shouts  and  plaudits  of  thousands  of 
spectatoi's,  assembled  on  the  Battery,  celebrat- 
ing I  he  anniversary  of  our  Independence. 

A  detachment  from  the  gun  boat  flotilla  near 
Sandy- Hook,  most  gallantly  beat  off  about  100 
of  the  orew  of  the  Plantagenet,  which  drov« 
ashore  and  boarded  the  scboffner  8|miTow,  of 
Baltimore,  tbe  3d  November,  nr ar  Long  Branch* 
The  cargo,  together  with  sails,  rigging,  &e.  were, 
saved ;  the  vessel  bilged. 

The  following  copy  of  a  letter  fi*om  lieuf en- 
ant  Nicholson,  commanding  the  gun^boats  at 
Newport,  announced  the  capture  of  the  armed 
British  Hioop  IJart,  on  the  4th  October. 

ii  Sir— I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  of  the 
baptu'e  of  the  Bt-Uish  armed  sloop  **  Dart, '  bjr  the 
rrvenue  cutter  of  t;:is  place,  last  evening.  -  She  ap- 
peared off  the  harbour  before  sunr«et ;  the  captain  of 
the  cutter  offered,  his  services  to  go  out ;  1  put  on 
board  three  sailing-mastAs  and  about  20  men ;  she 
iminedi  itely  made  sail  and  laid  aboard  the  Dart,  and 
carried  her  by  boarding  ;  her  firs*  officer  vas  killed  ; 
2  of  our  own  men  were  wounded  slightly.  The  pri- 
soners I  send  for  your  disposaU  Very  respectfuUyiv 
your  most  obedient  humble  servant,  «^ 

*«  JOHN  NICHOLSON. 

0  Com.  John  Fodgergj  U,  S, 
frigate  J^resident** 


'<-' 


V.  i/.^ 


1^1 


.^!3 


m 


l^% 


' 


V'mmiti' 


n 


i« 


i»2 


BISTOBT  OF  TBB  WAB, 


The  British  Admiral  Warren  isvued  a  procla- 
mation on  the  16th  November,  declaring  Long. 
Island  Sound  in  a  state  of  rigorous  bloeliade. 
I'his  was  an  extension  or  explanation  of  a  for< 
mer  proclamation  of  the  24th  September,  by 
^hieh  the  ports  and  harbours  of  Mew- York, 
Charleston,  Port  Royal,  Savannah,  and  the  river 
llissisippi  werfe  declared  in  a  state  of  strict  aud 
rigorous  blockade. 

A  proclamation  was  issued  hy  the  governor  of 
Vermont  on  the  10th  of  November,  1813,  the 
ohjeet  of  which  was  to  call  home  from  the  scr> 
vice  of  the  United  States  a  portion  of  the  militia 
vhieh  had  heeu  then  serving  in  the  state  of  New. 
York.  Brigadier  General  Davis  repaired  to  the 
army,  and  demanded  a  compliance  with  the  or- 
ders of  his  excellency  ;  but  obedience  was  re- 
fused, and  the  general  was  arrested. 

A  reply  to  the  proclamation  was  drawn  up  at 
Plattsburgh  the  15th  November,  and  directed  to 
his  excellenepr,  signed  by  all  the  officers  of  the 
Termont  militia  then  there.  The  reply  con- 
tained, among  other  matter,  the  following  de- 
aided  and  unequivueal  expressions : 

«  We  consider  your  proclamation  as  a  gross  insult 
to  the  officers  and  soldiers  in  service,  inasmuch  as  it 
implieB  that  they  are  so  ignorant  of  their  righth  us  to 
believe  you  have  authority  to  command  them  in  their 
present  situation)  or  so  abandoned  as  to  follow  your 
insidious  advice.  We  cannot  regard  your  proclama- 
tion in  any  other  light,  than  as  an  unwarrantable 
stretch  of  executive  authority^  issued  from  the  worst 
of  motives,  to  effect  the  basest  purposes.  It  is  in 
our  opinion,  a  renewed  instance  of  that  spirit  of  dis- 
organization and  anarchy  which  is  carried  on  b}  a  fac- 
tion, to  overwhelm  our  country  with  ruin  and  dis- 
grace.   We;.wnot  perceive  what  oiher  object  your 


I  .  .■; 


Tnop  of 
IS,  the 
the  9cr- 
i.  miHtia 
ofNew- 
>d  to  the 
the  or- 
was  re- 


UISTOUY  OF  THE  WAU. 


ItfS 


excellency  could  have.tn  view  than  to  embarrass  the 
operations  of  the  army,|to  excite  mutiny  and  sedition 
among  the  soldiersy  and  to  induce  them  to  desert)  that 
they  might  forfeit  the  wages  to  which  they  are  enti- 
tled for  their  patriotic  services?' 

A  most  positive  proof  of  that  actual  treason* 
which  lurked  under  the.  shade  of  an  ill-timed  op- 
position to  the  measures  of  tiie  general  govern^ 
menty  was,  soon  afterward,  discovered,  noor 
New-London,  as  will  be  best  explained  by  the 
following  communiotltion  from  Com.  Decatur  <e 
the  beoretary  of  the  Navy,  dated  at  New-Lon- 
don, December '^Oth,  1813 : 

"  Some  few  nights  since,  the  weather  promised  an 
opportunity  for  this  squadron  to  get  to  sea^^  and  it 
was  said  on  shore  that  we  intended  to  make  the  at» 
tempt.    In  the  course  of  the  evening  two  blue  lighta 
vere  burnt  on  both  the  points  at  the  harbour's  mouth' 
as  signals  to  the  enemy,  and  thece  is  not  a  doubt,  but 
that  they  have  by  signals  and  otherwise,  instantaneous 
information  of  our  movements.      Great  but  unsuc* 
cessful  exertions  have  been  made  to  detect  those  who 
communicate  with  the  enemy  by  signal.     The  editor 
of  the  New-London  Gazette,  to  alarm  them,  and  in 
hope  to  prevent  the  repetition  of  these  signals,  sta- 
ted in  that  newspaper,  that  they  liad  been  observed^' 
and  ventured  to  denounce  those  who  had  made  them 
in  animated  and  iudignant  terms.    The  consequence' 
is,  that  he  has  incurred  the  express  censure  of  some^ 
of  his  neighbours.    .Notwithstanding  these  signals 
haye  been  repeated  and  have  been  seen  by  20  perscois 
atlea^t  in  this  squadron,  there  are  men  in  New-I^on*  , 
don  who  have  4^e  hardihood  to  affect  to  disbelieve 
it,  and  the  elfroBtery  to  avow  their  disbelief.*' 

The  U.  S.  frigate  Congress,  Capt.  Smith,  ar- 
rived at  Portsmouth  in  Deeember,  after  a  cruise 
of  nearly  eight  months.  Di^ring  her  cruise,  shar 
got  sight  of  an  ^jemy's  Uni^  fC  J^I|t0ojllMP».WAtb  i| 


B 


■■^■^-, 


(' 


»■■  , 


\M 


^m 


.v.- 


IM 


iiistout  or  tus  ivai. 


IHg&te  in  company.  She  captured  And  destroy, 
•d  one  ship  and  one  brig ;  and  sent  another  cap. 
tared  brig  as  a  cartel  to  the  West-Indies.  Jt  ivill 
be  recolleotcd  that  the  Congress  sailed  iVooi 
Newport  in  April*  in  companv  with  the  Presi- 
dent and  parted  eompany  the  8th  May. 

The  hostile  attidude  of  the  Indians,  and  the 
Itottle  with  th6ni  at  lippaoanoe,  previous  to  the 
Varj  excited  a]ann»  and  caused  an  enquiry  into 
Its  cause.  A  conimittee  of  congress,  on  that 
part  of  the  President's  message,  which  related  to 
Indian  affairs,  turned  their  particular  attention 
10  the  following  enquiries : 

**  1st.  Whether  any,  and  what  agency  the 
sutjects  of  the  Itritish  gOircrnrocnt  may  have 
bad  in  exciting  tlie  Indians  on  the  western  fron- 
tier, to  hostilities  against  the  United  States. 

«  2d.  The  evidence  of  such  hostility,  on  the 
part  of  the  Indian  tribes,  prior  to  the  late  cam* 
paign  ontlie  Wabash. 

**  8d.  The  orders  by  which  the  campaign  was 
authorised  and  carried  on." 

The  committee  reported,  that  « the  evidence 
before  them  was  as  conclusive  as  the  nature  of 
the  ease  can  well  be  supposed  to  admit  of,  that 
the  supply  of  Indian  goods  furnished  at  Fort 
Maiden,  and  distributed  during  the  last  year  by 
the  British  agents  in  Upper  Canada,  to  the  In- 
dian tribes,  were  more  abundant  than  usual ;  and 
it  Is  dilReult  to  account  for  this  extraordinary 
liberality,  on  any  other  ground  than  thai  of  an 
Intention  to  attach  the  Indians  to  the  Britisli 
oause,  in  the  event  of  a  war  with  the  United 
States.*'  ■'\'r;-*r. 

M  Additional  presents,"  continued  the  commit- 
lee,  M  consisting  of  arms  and  ammunition,  given 
«t  a  time  when  there  is  evidence  that  the  British 


■ .  L 

■■^■:V'- 

?    ' 

^'. 

•    •'•y. 

f 

:/• 

, 

•         1     " 

/.  »l 


HUTOWt  OV  THB  WAB. 


t9s» 


were  apprized  of  the  hostile  diipotition  of  the 
]mlians»  accompanied  with  the  ipiMjehet  addreti^ 
ed  to  thenHf  exeitlog  disaflbellon,  are  of  too  deci- 
sive a  character  to  leave  doubt  on  tlie  lutiject.*' 

The  part  which  the  Indians  toolc  in  the  whr 
between  Groat  Britain  and  the  United  Stately 
was  an  additional  and  strong  evidenoe  in  support 
of  tlie  agencyy  which  the  British  goverament 
bad  in  the  early  hostility  of  tiie  savages. 

Scarcely  was  the  Indian  war  with  the  north 
western  tribes  brought  to  a  eoneluslonf  than  tho 
tomahawk  was  raised  on  the  south-western  bor« 
der* 

The  southern  tribes  were  divided  into  parties ; 
one  hostile^  the  other  friendly,  to  the  United 
States.  The  ibrmer  was  the  stronger  party  | 
the  latter  needed  proteeliouy  and  were  so  oent  on 
hostility,  that  it  was  found  impossible  to  enforce 
on  them  a  neutral  policy.  A  deoarture  from  the 
usual  forbearance  of  the  United  States'  govem*^ 
nient»  to  accept  their  services,  was  unavrndablo  f 
and  the  proffered  services  of  friendly  Indians 
were  accepted. 

It  having  been  discovered  that  in  eonsequence 
of  an  order  from  a  British  general  in  Canada,  » 
large  quantity  of  munitions  of  war  were  distri- 
buted by  the  Spanish  governor  of  Pensaeolay 
among  the  hostile  tribe  of  Indians,  Colonel  Col- 
lier, with  about  180  men,  marched,  with  a  view 
to  intercept  the  Indians,  on  their  return.  On 
the  27th  July,  lais,  on  the  east,  side  of  Aleba* 
ma,  and  waters  of  Escambia,  he  fall  in  with*. 
aqd  gave  battle  to  tlie  Miiscogees.  The  light 
was,  for  a  short  time,  well  maintained  on  both 
sides.  At  the  moment  when  viotiiry  was  about 
to  deelare  In  favour  of  Col.  Collier's  party,  ft 
|inii6r  officer^  without  aulborityf  cried  out «  ce- 


II 


■  'iT-     ■> 


.(>■■ 


A   ' 


^ 


190 


HISTORY  eF  TUB  VAU. 


treat  !*'  It  miMed  through  the  ^vholo  lino*  and;^ 
notwiihsfanuingthc  exertioni  of  Col.  CoUkr,  it 
^UB  iuipoBsilflu  to  rnWy  the  militia  :  the  enemy 
waM  left  master  of  the  field.  Col.  Collier  lovt 
3  men  killed,  and  10  wounded.  The  Indians 
acknowledged  a  loss  of  six  killed*  and  leveral 
bounded.  A  considerable  part  of  the  presents 
brought  hy  the  Indians  flrom  Pens&eoltty  fell  Intp 
Col.  Collier's  hands. 

*  •  Fopt  Mimmsy  on  Tensaw»  xras  unexpectedly 
attacked  on  the  30th  August*  by  a  large  force  of 
Indians.  The  front  gate  lay  open,  and  thp 
Indians  vicre  rushing  through*  when  first  per- 
ceived by  the  garrison.  The  meOf  under  comi- 
mand  of  Major  Beasley*  mere  quickly  formed^ 
and  a  part  of  them  contested  a  passage  through 
the  gate  ivith  great  bravery ;  the  action  soon 
became  genera] ;  the  port-holes  were  taken  and 
re-taken  several  times.  A  block-house  was  de- 
fended by  Capt.  Jack  and  a  few  riflemen*  for  an 
hour  after  a  part  of  it  had  been  possessed  by 
the  enemy.  A  galling  fire  was  kept  up  from 
the  houses*  until  the  enemy  gave  fire  to  the 
i*ooft.  Th^  place  was  no  longer  tenable.  A 
retvcat  was  attempted*  under  direction  of  Capt. 
Bailey,  of  the  militia,  and  Ensign  Chambless, 
of  the  rUle  company*  but  fcw~of  the  party  were 
able  to  affect  it.  Miyor  Beasley  fell  while  de- 
luding the  gate*  at  the  commencement  of  the 
action,  which  continued  for  about  six  hours. — 
!Ninety-two  men*  including  officers*  were  killed; 
and  many  rospectable  citizens,  with  numerous 
JChmilies,  who  had  abandoned  their  fhrms  for  se- 
curity, were  also  killed  or  burned  in  the  hou>>e8* 
into  which  they  had  fied.  The  loss  of  the  ene- 
my could  not  be  ascertained^  but  must  have  becQ 
very  considerable. 


A      K-*f' 


'^'m-^f^i:;m 


naroBY  of  thm  wjou 


!•? 


Capt.  Kennedjr,  who  was  tent»  after  the  »)• 
treat  of  the  Indianst  to  bury  the  <lead»  made  • 
report  to  Gen.  Claiboroe»  of  which  the  foUowiag 
is  an  exiraot : 

«  We  collected  and  connigned  to  the  earth  TWO 
HUNDRED'  AND  FORTY-SEVEN,  including 
men)  women  aad  children, 

**  The  adjacent  woods  were  strictlf  searched  for 
our  countrymen}  and  in  that  pursuit  we  discovered 
at  least  one  hundred  slaughtered  Indians,  They 
were  covered  with  rails,  brush)  be.  We  could  not 
be  mistaken  as  to  their  beinjj;  Indians,  as  they  were 
interred  with  their  war-dress  and  iro]^lements— and 
although  they  have  massacred  a  number  of  our  help« 
less  women  aiAl  children,  it  is,-  beyond  doubt,  to 
them,  a  dear-bought  vicioiy." 

The  massacre  at  Fort  Mimms,  was  followed 
by  several  other  cruel  murders  in  different 
places. 

The  eeneral  government,  having  been  inform- 
ed of  these  transactions,  made  a  retjuisition  on 
the  states  of  Tennessee  and  Georgia,  for  detaeh- 
ments  of  militia,  to  be  sent  against  the  hostile 
hidians  of  the  Creek  nation. 

The  legislature  of  the  state  of  Tennessee  a« 
dopted  a  resolution,  on  the  27th  September,  in 
the  following  words : 

<(  Resolved,  That  the  govemorof  this  state  be,  and 
he  is  hereby  required,  forthwith  to  give  immediate 
information  to  the  executive  of  the  United  States, 
(^tho  time  when,  and  the  place  at  which,  the  3,500 
men  mW  be  prepared  to  obey  the  orders  of  the  gene- 
ral govemmem,  accompanied  with  a  request  that  the 
said  troops  be  immediately,  received  into  the  public 
service." 

The  legislature  of  Georgia  gave  authority  ta 
the  governor,  to  call  out  such  portion  of  the  mi- 
litia, as  he  might  deem  mecessary,  for  the  secitr 

B  3  ..     » 


-^f- 


■'i^l 


\ '. 


■  f^.  ■•■■;■,-■■■-■  -y-i'-j'-'v  ■■■■>-•',■  ■■■.-I'/'-^v^.^.^^'T  ^- "  -  -■',■■■!' 


I      . 


199 


JHISTOKT  OF  THE   WAR. 


^ 


rUy  and  protection  of  tlie  frontier  inbabitants ; 
and  requiring  that  he  call  on  the  genera)  eov- 
Cirninent  for  subsistence  for  tlie  troops  that  might 
be  thus  culled  out.  This  was,  in  effect,  putting 
them  at  the  disposal  of  the  general  government. 

The  militia  of  the  states  of  Georgia  and  Ten- 
nessee, with  the  nearest  regular  troops,  and 
other  corps  from  the  Missisippi  territory,  were 
marched  against  the  hostile  savages.  General 
Andrew  Jackson  commanded  the  entire. 

The  first  victory  (for  every  battle,  after  this 
period,  was  a  victor)^,)  is  thus  detailed  by  Gen. 
Jackson  : 

«  We  have  retaliated  for  the  destruction  of  Fort 
Mimms.  On  the  2d,  I  detached  Gea.  Coffee  yrixH  a 
part  of  his  brigade  of  cavalry  and  mounted  riflemen, 
to  destroy  Tallushatches,  where  a  considerable  force 
of  the  hostile  Creeks  were  concentrated.  The  gen- 
eral executed  this  in  style.  A  hundred  apd  eighty* 
six  of  the  enemy  were  found  dead  on  the  field,  and. 
about  80  taken  prisoners,  40  of  whom  have  been 
brought  here.  In  the  number  left,  there  is  a  suffi- 
ciency but  slightly  wounded>  to  take  care  of  those 
who  are  badly. 

**  I  have  to  regret,  that  five  of  my  brave  fellows 
have  been  killed,'and  about  30  wounded  ;  some  bad* 
ly,  but  none  I  hope  mortally. 

«  Both  oilicers  and  men  behaved  with  the  utmost 
bravery  and  deliberation. 

<(  Captains  Smith,  Ilradley,  and  Winston,  are 
wojanded,  all  slightly.     No  officer  is  killed." 

.  b  appears,  by  Gen.  Coffee's  statement,  dated 
Camp  at  Ten-islands  of  Coosa,  November  4th» 
that  the  Indians  fought  with  a  bravery  that 
ivould  do  them  honour,  had  they  been  engaged  in 
a  just  cause,  with  an  obstinacy,  tha^  would 
yield  to  n<>thing  but  death,  and  with  a  contempt 
<^  dao^r^  truly  characteristic  of  the  savage.— 


%\f 


mSTOBY  OF  TUU   WAR. 


1U9 


The  iletacliment,  under  command  of  Gen.  Coffee, 
consisted  of  600,  cavalry  and  mounted  riflemen. 
Being  arrived  within  one  and  a  half  miles  of  the 
Tallushatehes  town,  the  detachment  was  divided 
into  two  columnfir  the  right  composed  of  the 
cavalry »  under  Col.  Alleorn ;  the  left  composed 
of  mounted  riflemen,  under  Col.  Cannon.  Gen. 
Coffee,  marched  with. the  riflemen  ;  Co1«  AUcorn 
cncirclfid  one  half  of  the  town,  while  Col.  Can^ 
oon  completed  the  circle,  hy  closing  on  the  side 
opposite  to  Col.  Alleorn.  When  within  half  a 
mile  of  the  town,  the  drums  of  the  enemy  heat, 
and  the  savage  yells  announced  that  the  enCmy 
was  prepared  for  battle.  In  about  an  hour  af- 
ter sun-rise,  Capt.  Hammond,  and  Lieut.  Patter- 
son's companies  went  within  the  circle,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  drawing  forth  the  enemy,  and  com- 
menced the  battle,  when  they  withdrew  before 
a/violent  charge  from  the  Indians,  until  they 
reacbed  Col.  Allcorn's  column,  when  a  gene- 
ral Are  was  opened  on  the  savages,  who  retreat- 
ed, firing  until  ibey  got  around  and  into  their 
liuildings.  Her^^  they  fought  as  long  as  onie 
existed.  No  quarter  was  sought,  and  none, 
from  all  appearance,  would  be  accepted.  The 
assauh  by  the  troops  was  warm  and  courageous, 
rushing  up  to  the  door^  of  the  houses,  as  little 
intimidated  as  if  there  was  no  enemy  to  oppose 
them.  In  a  conflict  of  this  nature,  it  was  im> 
'■  possible  to  provide  against  the  destruction  of  a 
few  of  the  squaws  and  children.  The  number 
of  the  enemy  killed  mu&t  have  exceeded  200 ; 
186  of  whom  were  found ;  84  women  and  chil* 
dren  were  taken  prisoners.  The  loss  of  the  mi- 
litia consisted  of  5  privates  killed :  >^  captains^. 
2  lieutenants,  2  cornets,  S  sergeant «f»  5  coi^^^ 
i^ale^  lartifioer^  aiid^  privates,  woonded 


■>■..*»■ 


m 


S60 


HiSTOBt  OV  THB  HVAS* 


"(f 


V' 


On  the  evening  of  the  7tb  Novemher,  an  tfx- 
press  arrived  to  Gen.  Jackson*  irith  information^ 
that  the  hostile  Creelis  had  enoainped  in  great 
force  near  Lashley's  fort»  (Talladagftf)  with  the 
apparent  intention  of  attacking  the  friendiy  In^ 
dians.  The  general  immediately  marched  with 
about  seoo  men»  against  the  enemy >  and  en- 
eamped  that  night  within  six  miles  of  the  forU 
At  4  o^oloelL*  on 'the  meming  of  the  Stby  he  con- 
tinued his  march  toward  the  enemy*  who  was 
encamped  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  fort* 
to  relieve  which*  Gen.  Jaclison  had  so  expedi- 
tiously movedi  At  sun-rise*  the  General  was 
within  half  a  mile  of  the  fort*  w)ien  he  moved 
forward  in  order  of  battle.  The  plan  of  attach 
.was  similar  to  that  which  prov«d  so  successful 
on  tho  Sd  inst.  The  enemy  was  to  be  enclosed 
in  a  eirele.  The  advanced  g^^rd  sent  forward 
to  bring  on  the  engagement*  suoeeeded  in  draw- 
ing forward  the  swages  toward  the  main  body 
of  the  army.  On  the  arrival  of  the  Indians*, 
within  a  short  distance  of  the  main  body  of  the 
army*  a  few  eompaoies  of  the  militia  commenc- 
ed a  retreat;  but  finding  their  place  quickly 
supplied  by  a  body  of  cavalry*  who  dismounted^ 
for  the  purpose*  the  militia  rallied*  when  a  gen« 
eral  fire  from  tlie  fhmt  Jine*  and  from  that  part 
of  the  wing»  which  was  contiguous*  was  poured 
•tt  the  savages*  who*  nnable  to  withstand  or  re- 
sist* retreated;  but  were  m^t  at  every  turn** 
and  repulsed  in  every  direction^  Had  it  noi 
been  for  the  retreat  of  the  militia^  in  the  early 
part  of  the  action*  this  victory  would  probably 
have  been  as  complete  as  that  of  the  2(d.  The 
viotofy*  however*  was  very  decisive ;  290  of  the 
•nemy  were  lefl  dead  on  the  field ;  many  more^ 
wei»  probably  killed^  who  were  net  found  y  autf 


■1- "  ■ 


B18T0BT  CV 


>¥AH. 


801 


maoyy  or  )noBt  of  tbosd  who  esoaped,  mutrf;  hayo 
been  wounded.  7  Jackson  was  eompelled  to  i*e- 
turn  to  his  ean^p  near  the  Ten-islands,  having 
marched  from  tlienee  without  ba^age,  or  otb* 
c;r  necessaries  th aft  cauld  be  dispensed  with»  pt 
might  retard  bis  march.  He  lost,  in  the  en- 
gagemetit,  17  killed^  and  86  wounded.  The  ep- 
em  J  exceeded  1000  warriors.  A  stand  of  co- 
lours, bearing  the  Spanish  cross,  was  taken  from 
Uiem." 

On  the  12th  November,  Gen.  'White  was  de- 
tached from  Fort  Armstrong,  on  the  Coosa, 
)vith  about  1100  ftiounted  men,  (including  up- 
wards of  300  Cherokee  Indians,)  tor  the  purpose 
of  attaekine  the  Hillabee  towns,  on  the  west 
aide  of  Tallapoosa  river.  On  the  17th,  about  1 
Q*cioek  at  night»  the  detachment  marched  with- 
in eight  lAiles  of  the  upper  town,  received  infor- 
mation from  one  of  their  spies,  a  half  breed  and 
son  of  a  Mr.  Grayson,  who  had  considerable 
property,  and  resided  in  that  place,  that  his  fam- 
ily and  property  would  be  sacrificed  by  the  In- 
^  ins  on  the  next  day,  if  Gen.  White  did  not  re^- 
Ueve  him. .  .Gen«  White,  with  alacrity,  dismount-, 
cd  three  hundred  of  his  troops,  with  part  pi  the 
Imlians,  and  marched  to  surprise  the  town  be- 
fore day-light.  Having  large  creeks  to  wade^ 
and  the  van  having  to  tarry  some  time  for  the 
rear,  which  had  fallen  behind  some  distance, 
tbe  town  was  not  reaehed  until  sun-rise  on  the 
ISlhf  when  the  town  was  completely  surround* 
ed,  and  the  savage  enemy  reoeived  the  first  fire 
without  the  least  notice  of  the  apptoach.  They 
fired  several  guns,  but  were  charged  home 
upon  them  with' loaded  muskets,  and  charge  of 
bayonets;  and  in  10  or  15  minutes  they  held  up 
a  ilgg,  and  the  firing  ceased.    A«  Indian  town. 


•20S 


■iSTOET  OT  TIE  \irAB^ 


Hi  Little  Oakfuskee,  ebnsSsting  of  SO  houses,  ia 
town  called  Genalgay  consistiog  of  93  houses, 
were  burned  by  the  troops  in  thejr  march.  The 
^reat  number,  if  not  the  whole  of  the  hostile 
Creeks,  assembled  at  th^  Hillabee  town,  con- 
sisting^ of  about  316,  were  either  killed  or  cap- 
tured. Sixty  warriors  were  killed  on  the  spot 
Gen.  White's  detachment  had  not  a  man  kUled 
•r  wounded. 

Gen.  Floyd,  with  950  of  the  Georgia  militia, 
and  between  800  and  400  firiendly  Indians,  pro- 
oeeded  to  a  town  called  Auttossee,  on  the  south- 
cm  bank  of  the  Talapoosecy  about  18  miles  from 
the  Hickory  Ground,  in  order  to  attack  a  lar^ 
force  of  hostile  Indians,  reported  to  be  assem- 
bled at  that  place.  At  half  an  hour  after  six 
o'clock,  in  the  morning  of  the  2Vth  November, 
-the  expedition  reached  the  front  of  the  town, 
and  the  men  were  formed  for  action.  At  this 
time,  when  the  army  was  about  to  execute  a 
pre-concerted  manceovre,  for  the  purpose  of 
snrroniiding  the  enemy,  a  second  town  was  dis- 
covered about  600  yards  below  that  which  was 
irst  diicovered.  I'his  compelled  Gen.  Floyd  to 
adopt  a  new  manieuvre,  by  dividing  and  dispos- 
ing his  force,  so  that  both  towntr  might  be  a)-' 
taoked  at  once.  This  disposition  bemg  made, 
and  the  troops  having  advanced,  the  battle  com- 
menced,  and  soon  became  general.  The  Indians 
fought  with  their  usual  obstinacy  and  despera- 
tion, but  were  soon  compelled,  by  the  superior 
force  of  artillery,  and  a  charge  of  bayonets,  io 
retreat,  and  take  refuge  in  the  out-houses  and 
copses  in  the  rear  of  the  town>.  At  9  o'clock, 
the  enemy  was  completely  driven  from  the  plain, 
and  the  houses  wrapped  in  jRames.  The  milhia 
being  80  miles  from  any  depot  of  provisions^  and 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAS. 


20S 


but  little  remaiDiDg,  it  was  judged  imprudent  t«i 
eontiaue  in  the  lieart  of  a  country,  surrounded 
by  iiosts  of  savages.  This  place  was,  tbereforoy 
abandoned*  and  the  troops  eommeneed  their 
march  to  Chatahoiiehie. 

Auttossee  was  a  favourite  spot  with  the  Indiansy 
and  it  is  conjeetnredy  that  the  force  assembled 
from  several  towns  for  its  defenoOy  must  -have 
been  very  considerable.  It  is  diffieult  to  gpve  a 
prreise  account  of  the  loss  of  the  enemy;  but 
from  the  number  which  were  lying  scattered 
o?er  the  field»  together  with  those  destroyed  in 
the  towns,  and  tnu  many  slain  on  the  baal&  of 
the  river,  which  respectable  officers  affirm  they 
saw  lying  in  heaps  at  the  water's. edge,  wliere 
they  had  been  precipitated  by  their  surviving 
friends,  their  loss  in  killed,  independent  of  their 
wounded,  must  have  been  at  least  200,  (among 
wham  were  the  Auttossee  and  Talkissee  kings ;) 
and  from  the  circumstances  of  therr  making  no 
efforts  to  molest  the  troops,  probably  greater. 
The  number  of  buildings -burnt,  ^ome  of  a  supe* 
rior  order,  for  the  dwellings  of  savages,  and  fill- 
ed with  valuable  articles,  is  supposed  to  be  400. 

The  number  of  the  Americans  killed  and 
wounded,  as  furnished  by  the  hospital  surgeon» 
was— Total  killed.  11 ;  total  wounded,  54 ;  a- 
mong  whom  was  Gen.  Floyd,  budly. 

A  detachment,  under  command  of  Gen.  Clai- 
borne, marches!  tVoni  Fort  Claiborne,  east  bank 
of  (he  Alabuma.  on  the  18th  of  December,  a- 
gHinst  tlie  Indians  residing  on  the  Alabama^ 
above  the  month  of  the  Cahaba.  After  a  march 
of  more  than  100  miles,  principal^  through 
woods,  without  a  track  to  guide  them,  they 
same  in  sight  of  a  new  town,  lately  buj||  by  the 
Indians^  on  a  ground  called  «  Hplx^*^     fEhis 


•  i 


'.-.j^ 


«^ 


'-        --TV--.  . 


Ijf-- 


» <, 


i 


'; 


20k 


HrSTOET  OF  THE   WAB*> 


1 


town  was  establislied  as  a  place  of  security  ttr 
the  inhabitants  of  several  villages ;  and  three 
of  the  prophets  resided  in  it.  The  place  was 
then  occupied  by  a  large  body  of  the  enemy,  un- 
der the  command  of  Wetherford>  a  bold  and 
sanguinary  chiefs  who  was  one  of  those  who 
commanded  the  Indians  at  the  massacre  of  the 
garrison  and  inhabitants  at  Fort  Mimms.  '  About 
noon*  on  the  "SSd  December,  the  right  column 
of  the  army*  composed  of  12  monlh's  volunteers, 
commanded  by  Col.  Joseph  Carson,  came  in 
view  of  the  town,  and  was  immediately  and  vig. 
orous  attHckcd  by  the.  enemy,  who,  being  ap. 
prized  of  the  approach  of  the  troops,  had  cho- 
sen their  field  of  action.  Before  the  other 
troops  or  frie^iidiy  Indians  could  come  generally 
into  action,  the  enemy  were  repulsed,  and  flying 
in  all  directions.  Thirty  of  the  enemy  wei'e 
killed,  and  many  wounded.  The  loss  Ui  the  ar- 
my was  one  killed,  and  six  wounded.  A  pursuit 
was  attempted,  but  found  to  be  impracticable, 
owing  to  the  nature  of  the  ground.  I'he  town, 
aonsisting  of  ^00  houses*  was  burned,  together 
with  a  large  quantify  of  provisions,  and  immense 
pro|)erty  of  various  kinds,  which  the  enem}|, 
eould  not  carry  away.  The  next  day  was  em- 
ployed in  destroying  a  town  consisting  of  sixty 
nouses,  eight  miles  higher  iip  the  river. 

Notwithstanding  these  repeated  defe%^s.  the 
savages  seemed  yet  bent  on  war.  Before  (ia.v, 
•n  the  morning  of  the  27th  January,  a  \ep^ 
large  body  of  Indians  attacked  the  troops  at 
Camp-Defiance,  48  miles  west  of  diatalioucbii'. 
The  onset*  was  desiierate*  and  the  surprine  :  > 
oomplete  as  possible.  In  ^0  minutes  aftev  iv 
in^  on  the  sentinels,  the  action  heeame  j^eset;* , 
thaenem;^  prcs^ng  ^close  on  the  fronts  right  ain' 


'  ■  '.'ii^/'' 


irily  for 
id  three 
ace  ¥ra8 
eniy,  un- 
bold  and 
1086  Mho 
*e  of  the 
.    About 
it  column 
ilunteerst 

came  in 
f  and  vig- 
being  ap- 
had  cho- 
he    Qlhe<r 
generally 
and  flying 
J  my  were 
til  the  ar- 
A  pursuit 
racticable, 
The  town, 
,  together 
d  immense 
he  enemj. 

was  em- 
,ng  of  sixty 

efej^s.  the 
efore  day, 
py,  a  vep> 
»  trooiis  at 
atalioucbii'. 
surprise* ;  > 
!9  aftn'iH 
lie  8;e''«''''  • 
L,  right  iiiu^ 


left  flunks  of  the  army;  but' the  savages  weM 
repelled  at  every  point.  The  enemy  rushed 
nearly  to  the  cannon's  month,  and  gained  the 
rear  of  the  picket  guards^  commanded  by  Oapt. 
Broadnax ;  hut  the  latter  bravely  cut  their  way 
tlirough  the  sayagesy  and  joined  the  army.  As 
soon  as  day  dawned,  and  objects  could  be  dis* 
tinguished,  a  charge  was  ordered,  and  the  en- 
emy fled  before  the  bayonet.  The  signal  was 
given  for  the  charge  of  the  cavalry,  who  pur- 
sued and  sabred  15  of  the  enemy ;  who  leu  37 
dead  on  the  field.  From  the  effusion  of  bloody 
and  the  number  of  hea^-dresses.  and  war-olubsj 
found  in  various  directions,  their  loss  must  have 
beeu  considerable.  The  loss  of  the  army,  on 
this  occasion,  was  17  killed,  and  132  woundcdr 
Of  the  friendly  Indians,  five  were  killed,  and  ±6 
wounded. 

Gen.  Jackson  having  received  information  at 
his  head-quarters.  Fort   Strother,  from  Capt* 
M<Alpin,  who  commanded  at  Fort  Armstrongt'^ 
in  the  absence  of  Col.  Snodgrass,  that  14  or  15 
totvn».of  the  eqemy,  situated  on  the  waters  of 
the  Tallapoosee,  werd  about  uniting  their  foree%> 
and  attacking  the  fort,  which  was  then  ini^^: 
feeble  state  of  defence,  the  general  resolved  <^ 
an  excursion  into  the  enemy's  country,  further 
than  had  been  hitherto  attempted.    He  ae6ord>»^ 
ingly  o^menoed  his  mareh  on  theifith  Januarjii^; 
with  9.W  men,  exclusive  of  Indians.    On  the 
18th^  the  army  encamped  at  Tallii^dega  fort» 
vriiere  it  was  joined  by  about  20O  friendly  Creek 
Indians,  and  65  Cherokces.    Here  the  general 
received  a  letter  from  Colonel  Snodgrass,  whii 
had  returned  to  Fort  Armstrong,  informing  him> 
tliat  an  attack  was  soon  to  be  made  on  tbit  fort» 
by  900  of  the  enemy.    It  was  furUwr  <iiider- 


i/H. 


S06 


UlfTOBT  OV  THE  WAR. 


«lo«d»tbRt  the  enemy  was  eolleettng  io  ft  bend 
of  the  Tttilapoosee,  near  the  moutli  Of  a  ereek 
called  Eniuckfauy  on  an  bland  below  New-Yor- 
ean. 

V :  On  the  20ih,  at  nightf  the  army '  eneamped 
at  a  small  Hillabee  viltage,  about  12  miles  from 
£muckrau..  On  the  21st»  the  army  marched  in 
«  direct  line  for  the  bend  of  the  Tallapoosee.-^ 
In  the  aftemoon,  the  army  haUed»  and  the  gen* 
■oral  determined  to  enoauip  for  the  ni|^t»  that 
he  mij^ht  have  time  to  reconnoiire^  and  make 
dispositions  for  attack*  if  he  were  in  the  neigh* 
iipurhood  of  a  large  force,  whichy  from  appear- 
ance, he  judged  to  be  the  case.  Having  chosen 
an  eligible  seite,  the  army  eneamped  in  a  hollow 
jquare.  Spies  ^and  pickets  wei*e  sent  out,  the 
sentinels  doubled,  and  the  necessary  ^  arrange- 
inents  were  made  to  resist  an  attack,  if  it  should 
be  attempted  during  the  night ;  or  to  make  one, 
if  the  enemy  could  be  found ,  at  day-light  the 
Ibllowing  morning*  IVhile  the  army  was  in 
this  state  of  readiness,  theenemyy  about  6  oV.lock 
in  the  morning,  commenced  a  vigorous  attack 
•n  the  left  flank,  which  Was  as  vigorously  met. 
The  action  raged  for  half  an  hour  on  the  left 
flank,  and  on  the  left  of  the  rear  of  the  army. 
The  brave  Gen.  Coffee,  with  1  ol.  Sittler,  tlis 
,il4l*'^^(*^'S^i'^^^^>  and  Col.  Carroll,  the  inspector- 
general,  the  moment  the  firing  commenced, 
mounted  their  horses  and  repaired  to  the  line, 
encouraging  and  animating  the  men  to  the  per- 
formance of  their, duty.  So  soon  as  it  became 
liglit  enough  to  pursue,  the  left  wing,  having 
sustained  the  heat  of  jthe  action^  and  being  some- 
what weakened^  was  reinforced  by  Capt.  Fer- 
lill's  company  of  infantry,  and  was  ordered  and 
1^  on  to  the  eharge  by  General  Coffee^  who  was 


.   (s ,  JS 


HirrMIT  €fF  THB  WJOi.^ 


well  supported  by  CoL  Biggins,  and  the  inspec- 
tor-g«n«ral»  and  by  all  the  officers  and  privates 
ifbo  oomposed  that  line*    The  enemy  was  eom- 

Jiletely  iiouted  at  every  point,  ,and  the.  friendly 
ndians  joining  in  the  pursuit,  they  were  ohaseff 
about  two  niilesy  with  eoofcidecable  slauf^bler.     < 

Qen.  Coffee,  who  was  detaAhed  with  ^0  nieii^ 
to  reeonnoitre  the  eneniy*s  encampment,  return- 
ed, with  a  view  to  bring  up  the  artillery,  whioh> 
he  deemed  necessary  to  the  attack.  In  half  an 
hour  after  hii  return,  a  considerable  force  or 
the  en^my  comniienced  a  fire  on  H  party  of  men 
who  were  then  in  search  of  Indians.  Gen.  Cof- 
fee, with  only  54  men,  a  part  of  200  wiio  wero 
to  have  acted  with  him,  commenced  an  attack 
on  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy ;  200  friendly  In- 
dians were  ordered  at  the  same  time  to  attack 
the  enemy's  right.  At  this  moment  it  was, dis- 
covered that  the  attack  of  the  enemy  was  but  a- 
feint,  having  intended,  by  drawing  off  the  gene- 
ral's attention  from  his /left,  to  attack  it  with 
success:  in  this  the  enemy  was  disappointed; 
The  whole  line  met  the  approach  of  the  enemy 
with  astonishing  intrepidity,  and  having  charg- 
ed, forced  the  savages  to  retreat  with^  precipita- 
tion. They  were  pursued  to  a  considerable 
distance,  and  severely  galled  by  a- very  destruc- 
tive flre. 

During  this  transaction,  Gen^  Coffee  was  con« 
tending  against  a  very  superior  force.  As  soon 
as  possible  a  reinforcement  was  sent  to  his  aiii^ 
whicli  80on  decided  the  contest  in  that  quarter : 
the  enemy  was  charged^  routed,  and  pursued  for 
three  miles.  Nothing  now  remained  but  to  de- 
stroy an  empty  camp,  which  did  not  seem  of  suf- 
ficient imnortance  to  delay  a  return  to  Fort 
Strother,  which  was  couuuenccd' on  the  follow- 
ing, morning, 


1%: 


■ii-    '  *  i.k  .  ill 

1:1  m 


t 


f 


20S 


MtTeRY  OV  THX  VXH. 


'On  the  24th9  •■  the  men  were  erosting  the 
Eilotaehopoo  ereek»  an  alarm  gun  announced 
the  advance  of  the  enemv.  Oen.  Jackson  ex- 
pected an  attacks  and  bad  difpoBitions  made  to 
turn  it  to  the  disadvantage  of  the  enemy.  The 
right  and  left  columns  of*  the  army  vrere  direct- 
ed to  turn  on  their  pivots,  recross  the  creek 
above  and  belovr*  and  fall  on  the  enemy's  flanks 
and  rear.  The^  manwuvre,  if  executed,  would 
probably  prove  as  destructive  to  the  enemy  as 
any  thing  hitherto  attempted  ;  but,  at  the  mo- 
ment when  a  few  guns  were  fired,  the  right  and 
lieft  columns  of  the  rear  guard  gave  way;  the 
greater  pr.rt  of  the  centre  column  followed  the 
disastrous  example,  leaving  not  more  than  2ji 
men,  who  maintained  their  ground  as  long  as 
possible.  There  was  then  left  to  repulse  the 
enemy,  but  the  few  who  remained  in  tiro  rear 
guard,  the  artillery  company,  and  Capt.  RusseU*s 
company  of  spies.  AmicUit  a  most  galling  fire 
from  the  enemy,  this  little  band,  not  oner  tenth 
of  the  number  opposed  to  it,  advanced  to  the 
attack.  The  artillery  and  a  lew  others  gained 
the  top  of  a  hill,  drawing  up  with  them  a  six- 
pounder,  when  they  poured  on  the  enemy  several 
discharges  of  grape,  then  charged,  repulsed,  and 
pursued  him  for  two  miles,  leaving  2G  of  their 
warriors  dead  on  the  field.  The  loss  in  these 
several  engagements,  was  20  killed  and  75 
wounded.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  could  not  be 
exactly  ascertained;  189  of  their  warriors  were 
foun^  dead ;  this  undoubtedly  formed  but  a  part 
of  the  killed ;  the  wounded  must  have  been  pro- 
portionably  nnmerous. 

;  All  the  elfeets  intended  by  this  excursion, 
seem  to  have  been  produced*  If  an  attack  was 
Utended  against  Fort  Armstrong,  that  was  pre* 


.v.". 


A 


UISTORT  or  Ti»  WAS* 


209  > 


Tvited';  a'difertion  wai  made  in  ikvouF  of  Gen. 
Floyd,  who  wai  on  the  caii  aide  of  the  Talla- 
pousee  ;  the  number  of  the  enemy  was  lettened,. 
and  their  eonfldenci($'  in  their  leaden  brolccn  in 
on;  the  enemy's  country  was  explored,  and  •• 
roiMi  out  through  an  important  part  of  it ;  and, 
on  the  whole,  tended  to,  and  hastened  the  termi- 
nation of  Indian  liostilities,  as  much,  if  not  more, 
than  any  previous  expedition* 

Hitherto  the  enemy  was  eng^aged  either  in 
the  open  field,  or  in  situations  wliero  he  Jiad 
little  advantage  from  worlds  of  art,  and  not  mueh 
from  nature^  One  situation  remained  to  lio  as* 
sailed,  where  a  slulful  display  of  ari  rendorod  a. 
position,  natuitally  strong,  so  seemingly  impreg- 
nable, that  it  required  a  great  effort  of  oourage 
to  approach  it,  a  consummate  skill  to  direct  the 
attaek,  and  a  persevering,  ondanntcd  reiolMtioii^ 
to  prosecute  it  to  suecessk.. 

In  the  bend,  of  the  Tall apoosee^  two  miles  b^ 
jond  where  Gen.  JaoKson  engaged  tho  Tndiaui  • 
on  the  S2d  January ,'the  savages  had  fixed  on  ti 
soite  for  erecting  a<  fortification*.-  Nature  fur- 
nish^ few*  places  mere  eligible  for  defence,  and 
2t  was  improved  by  artrwitb  a  iliilLnot  diieor* 
ered  before  in  an  Indian  fortifiisation.    The  bend 
Tesenibles,  in  its  curvature,  a  horse-shoo.    Aeross 
the  neck,  of  land,^  which  leads  into  it  from  the 
north,  a  breastwork  was  ereeted#of  Aie  greatest, 
eompaetness  •  and  strength*  from  <.  5  -  to  8  ftet 
Uigh,  and  •  prepared  ^  with  double  raws  of  port- 
holes, very  artfully  arranged  $  aa-  army  could' 
not  approach  it^    without'  beings:  exposed  to  a 
teuble  and  cross  fire  from  the  encnty,  who  laj 
in  perfect  security  behind  it;    Gisn.  JaekHoa  rei- 
soWed  on  the  attack  of  this  important  and  doo« 
strong  ptBilion.    The  Indian  foree  amottiif^ 


\ 


fr 


- 

; 


ill 


210 


■IfTOBT  Of  TBX  WAS. 


V. 


ed  to  abbttti  or  upwardt  of  1000  warriori.  Tlie 
army  approached  thii  formidable  poiiUon  on 
the  27th  Maroh,  near  enough  to  prepare  for 
the  attaek.  General  CofTeey  with  the  mounted 
men,  and  nearly  the  whole  of  the  Indian  foroCf 
crossed  the  ri%er  about  two  miles  below  the  en- 
eainpmenty  with  a  view  to  pre?ent  the  escape  of 
the  Indians ;  the  infantrr  advanced  slowly  along 
the  point  of  land  which  led  to  the  front  of  the 
breastwork ;  a'  six  and  a  three  pound  cannon  were 
planted  on  an  eminence^  at  a  distance  of  150  to 
SOO  ymrds  from  it.  A  tire  from  riilrs  was  di- 
rected ngainst  the  enemy,  whenever  he  showed 
Jiimseif  beyond  his  defences^  ¥^hen  this  fire 
was  kept  up  about  two  hours,  a^partv  eross^d 
over  in  canoes,  and  fired  a  few  of  the  buildin^f 
and  then  advancing  boldly  up  to  the  breastworlCf 
commenced  a  tire  on  the  enemy  behind  it.  l^ii 
proving  iosufllcient  to  dislodge  him.  Gen.  Jack- 
ton  resolved  to  take  it  by  storm.  The  troops 
received  the  order  with  acclamation,  and  ad- 
vanced with  an  ardent  and  zealous  enthusiasm. 
<^  Having  maintained,"  says  Gen.  Jackson,  ii 
his  letter  to  Gov.  Blount,  «  for  a  few  minutes 
a  very  obstinate  contest,  muzzle  to  muzzle, 
throogli  the  port- holes,  in  which  many  of  the 
enemy's  balls  were  welded  to  the  bayonets  of 
our  muskets,  our  troops  succeeded  in  gaining 
losscsslon  of  the  opposite  side  of  the  works. 
The  event  could  no  longer  be  doubtful..  The 
enemy,  although  many  of  them  fought  to  the  last 
with  that  kind  of  bravery  whieh  desperation  in- 
spires, were  at  lenglh  routed  and  cut  to  pieees. 
The  whole  tnargin  of  the  river  which  surround- 
vfd  the  peninsula,  was  strewed  with  the  slain.*' 
The  fighting  continued  with  some  severity  about 
faro  boar*.    Five  hmidced  and  iifty-seyen  of  the 


,t. 


■i1^''->    ■ 


■IITOBT  or  THE  WAR. 


21t 


enemy  wore  loft  dead  on  the  poniniula>  nnd  a 
great  number  were  killed  in  attempting  to  orot» 
the  river  ;  it  was  suppoied  that  not  nioro  than 
20  esoaped ;  ^60  women  and  ehildren  vtwe  talii  ri 
prisoners.  Oen/Jaolcson's  loss  amounted  to  >3 
white  men  killed ;  and  173  wounded  $  3S  friend- 
ly Indians  killed,  and  47  wounded. 

This  battle  broke  down  the  spiritsi  as  it  ma* 
terially  redueed  the  remaining  strength  of  tbo 
savngei.  ffetherfarA  surrendered  himself  to 
Gen.  Jackson,  mx  or  seven  towns  followed  the 
example  of  this  ehief.  M*Hueen,  with  500  of 
his  followers  retired  to  the  Escambia  river* 
near  Pensaoola.  Peace  was  quickly  restoped» 
The  militia  were  disbanded,  and  returned  to 
their  homes. 

Wetherford,  whose  unconditional  surrender 
has  been  just  mentioned*  had  been  the  most  ac- 
tive and  sanguinary  of  all  the  Indian  ehiefs.  He 
signalized  himself  in  several  actions:  over  pre- 
sent where  danger  pressed,  ho  was  the  constant 
advocate  of  murder  and  extermination.  In  a 
private  interview  with  Gen.  Jackson,  he  deliver- 
ed the  following  speech : 

« I  fought  at  Fort  Mimms — I  fought  the  Geor- 
gian army-»I'  did  you  all  the  injury  I  could— had  I 
been  f  upported  as  1  was  promised,  I  W4>uld  have 
done  you  more.  But  my  warriors  are  all  killed^— I 
can  fight  you  no  longer.  I  look  back  with  sorrow, 
that  I  have  brought  destruction  on  mf  nation.  I- 
am  now  in  your  power— do  with  me  at  yjou  please. 
1  am  a  soldier." 

The  barbarous  eomplexion  wliioli.  the  enemy 
gave  to  the  war,  was  not  confined  to  the  em- 
ployment of  Indians.  We  have  already  ^tailed 
barbarities  in  which  Indians  did  not  participate.; 
Maniy  olhera  must  remaia  uatoldf  cnur  lin^tki 


'..■     i 
1 

'Mill/ 

a"! 


i 


<: 


-  ii2 


HISTOBT  OT  THE  WAB. 


\ 


/tvill  not  admit  a  full  detail  of  this  part  of  the 
subject.  The  ti'eatmeot  to  prisoners  of  war  ^as 
Dot  merely  unusual ;  it  was,  in  the  last  degree, 
eruely  unprecedented,  barbarous.  The  authen- 
ticated'proofs,  congressional  records,  affidavits, 
&e.  are  shockingly  numerous. 

The  exercise,  by  Britain,  of  a  presumed  right 
to  command,  at  all  times,  the  services  of  native 
subjects,  gave  rise  to  one  of  the  causes  of  war, 
to  wit,  the  impressment  of  seamen  out  of  neutral 
vessels  on  the  high  segs.  This  principle,  it  was 
intended,  should  govern  the  ene^iy  in  conducting 
the  wart 
»  The  crew  of  the  U.  S.  brig  Nautilus,  which 
had  been  captured  in  the  early  part  of  the  war, 
'arrived  at  Boston  in  a  cartel,  the  11th  SepleUi' 
ber,  1812,  except  six  men,  whOMwere  put  in 
irons  ^  and  were,  as  Lieut.  Crane  understood,  to 
be  tried  for  their  lives  as  British  sul^ectSf  fouDd 
in  arms  against  their  king.  Com.  Rbdgers,  on< 
learning  the  circumstance,  stop[ied  a  cartel 
which  had  got  under  way  for  Halifax^  and  took  , 
out  twelve  Englishmen  as  hostages- for  the  six 
Americans. 

-'On  the  11th  October,  six^  of  the  crew  of  the 
|lrivate  armed  ship  Sarah- Ann,  which  was  cap- 
tured and  sent  to  Nassau*  were  taken  out  of 
j«ii,  and  sent  to  Jamaica,  to  be  there  tried  as 
British  subjeets,  found  in  arms  against  their 
king.  It  appears,  that,  on  this  occasion,  the 
Brnish  officer  fell  into  a  mistake,  similar  to 
those  which  had  been  so  commonly  committed 
.  before  the  declaration  of  War ;  four  of  the  per- 
sons thus  detained  .were  natives  of  ihe  Umted 
States;  tbe  others  were  frishmel^  by  b|Kh,  but 
had  been  naturalized  -  citizens  of  the  United' 
teiet.    6n  the  arrival  of  Capt.  Moon  (|»ti 


I. ' 


'".,' ' '.-,  '.j^.  ife-.-  .^-   * ' 


',    .^: 


\'J--1 


HIBTQRT  Of  THB  WAB. 


913 


eommander  of  the  Sarah-Ann,^  ai  Charleston^ 
12  Englishmen,  ineluding  a  midshipmaiif  weve 
put  in  eiose  eonfinementy  as  hostages  for  the  all 
men  taken  from  Capt.  Moon's  erew. 

By  a  letter  from  Geo.  &.  IVise,  purtfiier  of  the 
United  States'  sloop  of  war  Wasp,  to  the  secre- 
tary of  war,  It  appears  that  after  the  eapture 
of  that  vessel,  by  the  British  ship  Foictiers,  12 
of  the  erew  of  the  Wasp  were  detained  by  Capt. 
Beresford,  as  British  subjects. 

That  the  enemy  intended  to  deny  to  others 
the  exercise  of  rights  in  manner  as  claimed  by 
himself,  is  evident,  from  the  circumstance  of 
the  British  admiral  Warren  having  refused  the 
liberation  of  Thomas  Dunn,  a  native  of  the  U. 
Statei^,  beoause  the  said  Dunn,  had  been  married 
in  England,  and  had  been  eight  years  in  his  ma< 
jesty's  service.  The  application  for  his  libera- 
tion was  made  by  Mr.  Mitchell,  U.  S.  agent  for 
the  exchange  of  prisoners  at  Halifax,  at  the' 
particular  request  of  the  fleither  of  said  Dunn^ 
then  residing  at  Boston. 

Twenty-three  of  the  prisoneirs,  taken  by  the 
enemy  at  Queenstown,  were  sent  to  England,  to 
be  tried  as  British  sulrjeets,  for  appearing  iti 
arms  against  their  king.  The  United  States' 
government  ordered  23  British  soldiers  into. 
close  confinement,  as  hostages  for  the  safety  of 
those  so  taken  at  Queenstown.  In  retaliation,. 
the  British  government  ordered  46  United  States' 
officers  and  non-commissioned  officers  into  close 
and  rigorous  confinement. 

The  system  of  retaliation,  after  this  oiroum- 
stance,  bore  a  very  serious  aspect,  and  threaten- 
ed to  be  as  extensive  as  prisoners  on  either  side 
wera  numerous. 

The  secretary  of  state  transmitted  to  congresfr 


!k 


mm 


!PP 


l?l 


^1! 


•^  if 


.>■  ";i 


L^J 


*  !'i»l 


■■/■■'■:^ 


ftk*^ 


HIBTORT  OV  THB-  WAS. 


\ 


otttlie  t«th  ApriU  181^9  a  Yerj  important  report 
on  the  subject  matter  whiobled  to  the  practice 
«r  retaliation,  in  which  it  is  stated,  that  the  Bri- 
tish government,  among  other  pretexts  for  not 
discharging  citizens  of  the  United  States  im- 
pressed into  their  sei^ice,  alledged,  that  they 
were  natives  of  Prussia^  Sweeden,  &e.  thus  evinc- 
ing, that  the  recovery  of  tlieir  own  native  sub- 
jecti',  was  not  the  sole  motive  of  impressment.-- 
The  secretary  further  reported,  »t   ; 

<*  That  all  the  nations  of  Europe  naturalize  foreign- 

«  That  they  all  employ  in  their  service  the  sub- 
jects of  each  other,  said  frequently  against  their  na- 
tive countries,  even  when  hot  regularly  naturalized ; 
>i.*<  That  although  examples  may  be  foUnd  of  the 
punishment  of  their  native  subjects^  taken  in  arms 
against  them,  the  examples  are  few,  and  have  either 
been  marked  by"  peculiar  circumstances  taken  them 
out  of  the  controverted  principle,  or  have  proceeded 
from  the  passions^or  policy  of  the  occasion.  Even 
in  prosecutions  and  convictions  having  the  latter  ori> 
gin  the  final  act  of  punishment  nas,  with  little  esccep- 
tion,  been  prevented  by  a  sense  of  equity  and  dread 
of  retdiation.  It  is  confidently  believed  that  no  in- 
stance can  be  found  in  wHich  the  alledged  purposes 
of  the  enemy  against  the  23  prisoners  in  question,  un- 
der all  the  circumstances  which  belong  to  their  case, 
even  though  any  of  them  may  not  have  been  regular- 
ly naturalized,  are  countenanced  by  the  proceedings 
Of  any  Eu  ropen  nation. ' ' 

A  publication,  of  which  the  following  i>  a 
copy,  appeared  from  the  navy  depui'tment  of  the 
United  States  the  28fh  July  1814,  and  was  un- 
derstood to  he  a  relinquishment  of  the  system  of 
reiaiiation.  on  the  part  of  England  and  of  the 
Vniled  p.^ates  ;  tlie  23  Araer lean  soldiers,  £cnt 
to  li^ngland,  and  ail  other  Americans  held  by  the 


'-/■.i. 


sn  in  arms 


JIISTOST  01  TOB  WAB* 


tiS 


enemy  as  hostages,  haying  been  restoiiBd  to  the 
state  of  ordinary  prisoners. 

f<  All  officers,  seamen  and  marines  of  the  U.  $. 
J^'avy*  eapjtyii'ed  by  the  troops  or  vessels^  yrithin  the 
command  of  Sir  George  Pre vostf  prior  to  thelst^ 
day  of  April  last)  have  been  duly  exchanged,  and  de- 
cUured  competent  to  serve  against  the  enemy.  They 
will  therefore  immediately  report  themselves  to  the 
commanding  naval  officer  of  the  station  on  which 
they  are  or  may  arrive."  ' 

The  time,  when  the  armies  mmt  be  in  Winter 
quarters,  and  the  officers  less  engaged  than  they 
would  foe  at  another  season,  was  chosen  for  the 
trial  of  Gen.  Hull.  A  general  coart  mar^al  as- 
sembled for  that  purpose  at  Albany.,  the  Bih 
Janv^ry,  18i4,  and  proceeded  in  the  trial,  from 
time  to  time,  until  the  8ih  March. 

Three  charges  were  preseuted  against  him, 
to  wit,  treason  agains*:  the  United  States  /  eoio- 
ardice;  and  neglect  of  duty  and  unoffieer-like 
conduct — to  all  whioh,  he  pleaded  not  guilty* 

The  general,  having  protested  against  the 
eompetency  of  the  court  to  try  the  first  charge^ 
^he  court  declined  making  any  formal  decision  on 
it ;  but  yet  gave  an  opinion  that  nothing  appear- 
ed to  them  which  could  justify  the  charge. 

Xhe>  court  acquitted  him  of  that  part  of  the 
third  specification  which  charges  him  with  hav- 
ing **  forbidden  the  American  artillery  to  fire  on 
the  enemy,  on  their  march  towards  the  said  Fort 
Detroit,"  and  found  him  guilty  of  the  first,  se- 
eond  part  of  the  third,  and  the  fourth  specifica- 
tions. .  .:,:,.  .w^,.-f, ,.,,;.,    ' 

On  the  third  charge,  the  court  fou^^  the  ae- 
cused  guilty  of  neglect  of  duty,  in  omitting  sea- 
sonably to  inspect,  train,  exercise,  and  order  the 
troops  under  \jja  coiiimand»  or  cause  the  ssune  t#  be 


1- 


i 


316 


iSlBtbET  Of  TllS  ITaI.  1 


done.  They  also  fouod  bim  guilty  of  part  of  ttie 
fourth  and  fifth  specifieations,  and  the  ivhole  of 
the  sixth  and  seventh ;  and  acquitted  bim  of  the 
second  and  thirds  and  part  of  the  fourth  and  fifth 
specifieations. 

The  court  sentenced  « the  said  Brigadier-Gen- 
eral 'William  Hull  to  be  shot  to  death*  two  thirds 
of  the  court  concurring  In  the  sentence ;  but,  in 
consideration  of  his  revolutionary  services,  and 
his  advanced  "age,  recommendc'd  bim  to  the  mer- 
cy of  the  President  of  the  United  States.** 

The  President  of  the  United  States  approved 
the  sentence,  remitted  the  execution,  and  order- 
ed the  name  of  Gen.  Hull  to  be  ei*ased  from  the 
list  of  the  army. 

The  general,  in  an  address  to  the  people  of  the 
United  States,  appealed  to  their  ^ceision  against 
the  verdict  and  sentence  of  the  court,  declaring 
himself  innocent,  notwithstanding  the  verdict, 
and  charging  the  government  with  persecution 
and  injustice  to  himself. 

^^  A  circumstance  of  great  interest,  and  which 
might  have  a  great  effect  on  t^e  war  between 
Great-Britain  and  the  United  States,  occurred 
in  March^  1814.  On  tbeSlHof  that  month,  the 
allied  armies  of  Austria,  Prussia,  ami  Russia, 
headed  by  their  respective  sovereigns,  triumph- 
antly entered  the  French  capital  overthreiv  the 
Bonapartean  dynasty,  sent  its  cbfef  into  exile, 
aind  replaced  Louis  XTIII.  on  the  throne  of  his 
ancestors. 

Hitherto  the  pQwer  of  England  was  divided 
between  making  war  ol  Fmnce  and  the  United 
States  of  America ;  it  was  to  be  now  entir^^ly 
turned  against  the  latter,  at  least  so  the  British 
editors  threatened.  Indeed  Ameriea  v/oiiUl  eer- 
tainly  be  pnhished>  orerthrewn^  re-subjugated, 


HlfTOBT  Of  TUB  WAS* 


n7 


and  enslaved^  if  the  editor's  lead  oould  be  form- 
ed ialo  bailsy  instead  of  types,  and  these  pressed 
into  eaanoDf  instead  of  being  pressed  on  paper. 

The  new  situations  of  affairs  in  Europe,  cre- 
ated inueh  alarm,  but  no  despondency  in  Ameri- 
ca. The  citizens  saw  the  approach  of  a  terrible 
eonfliet,  but  they  resolved  to  meet  it.  The  le- 
gions, which  gained  the  oharaeter  of  <<  invinci- 
ble," in  Spain,  Portugal,  -and  France,  were  to  be 
vomited  on  the  shores  of  America;  the  thousand 
ships  of  Britain  were  to  blockade  the  coast;  Bri- 
tish tars,  without  number,  were  to  cover  the 
lakes ;  and  these  myriads,  by  sea  and  by  land, 
\irere  to  be  directed,  by  those  commanders  who 
swept  the  European  navies  from  the  ocean,  and 
out-rivaled  the  best  generals  of  the  first  warrior 
in  the  world.  Yet,  notwithstanding  these  exter- 
minating threats  and  gloomy  prospects,  Ameri- 
ea  was  destined  to  preserve  her  independence  and 
honour;  and  to  gather  mere  laurels  in  ±Si^, 
Uian  she  did  in  any  former  year  of  this,  war. 

In  aceordance  with  the  views*  of  the  war  de- 
partment, and  a  design,  the  result  of  a  corres- 
pondenoe  between  the  Secretary  of  "Wai^  and 
Gen.  Wilkinson,  the  latter  entered  Canada,  on 

*  General  Wilkinson*s  words,  in  his  official  state- 
ment, were, «  Pursuant  to  the  designs  communicated 
to  jFOU  in  my  last,  and  to  accomplish  your  views.'* 
Immediately  after  the  publication  of  the  general's 
letter,  the  following  comment  appeared  in  the  Na<- 
tional  Intelligencer :  «  We  are  authorised  to  state, 
that  Gen.  Wilkinson's  late  movement  was  not  pur- 
suant to  the  views  of  the  war  department.  These 
viewa  (or  orders)  advised  him  to  seize  and  hold  a  giv^ 
en  position  on  Lake  Champlain,  and  adtnonished  iam 
against  an  incursion  into  Canada/'       ;  :;",       -^  'J 


M-''¥ 


53.'  T.  S'l' !  :r 


:  '.-li 


HIS 


mSTOkT  OF  THX  VTAB. 


I  I    ■ 


th«  morniflg  ^>f  the  80th  Mareta,  1814.  The 
iaiae  of  this  expedition  vras  unfortunate^  although 
in  Its  progress,  it  did  honour  to  the  Amcrieans 
engaged.  The  enemy  claimed  a  victory,  only 
because  he  was  not  vanquished ;  and  pretended 
to  gather  laurels,  ivhile  eiroumstanees  ooneurred 
to  render  it  nearly  impossible  to  attack  or  drive 
him  from  his  cowardly  strong-holds. 

General  Wilkinson,  at  the  head  of  his  division, 
marched  from  Champlain,  with  the  intention  of 
reducing  the  enemy's  fortress  at  the  river^La 
Cole.  About  11  o'clock,  he  fell  in  with  the  ene- 
my at  Odell  Town,  three  miles  ftrom  La  Cole, 
and  six  from  St.  John's.  An  attack  was  oom- 
nenoed  by  the  enemy  on  the  advance  of  the  army 
under  Col.  Clark  and  Mf^or  Forsyth.  CoL 
Bissel  came  up  with  spirit,  and  the  enemy  was 
forced  to  retire  with  loss.  General  'Wilkinson 
took  part  in  this  action,  and  bravely  advanced 
into  the  most  dangerous  position,  declining  fre- 
quently the  advice  off  his  officers,  to  retire  from 
ifBminent  danger.  The  enemy  having  used  his 
congrevr  rockets,  without  producing  any  effect, 
retired  to  La  Cole,  whither  he  was  pursued.  At 
this  place  an  action  was  expected ;  but  the  en- 
emy, whose  force,  when  inereased  by  a  reinfi>rce« 
ment  fi*om  Isle-au-Noix,  amounted  to  at  least 
fl,B0O  men,  mostly  regulars,  declined  meeting  the 
American  force,  although  much  inferior  in  num- 
bers and  means  of  warfare.  He  took  possession 
of  a  block-house  and  a  stone  mill,  the  wall  of 
which  was  so  thick,  that  it  eould  not  be  battered 
except  by  the  heaviest  artillery.  An  1 8  pounder, 
which  was  brought  from  Champlain,  could  not 
be  drawn  over  the  bad  roads,  and  was  left  hy 
hind;  a  battery  of  lighter  guns  was  raised  ^i^hiti 
300  yards  of  tiie  mill,  but  no  breach  was  practi- 


BISTOBT  OF  TUK  WAB. 


^f 


cable  by  \U  Several  sorties  were  made  hy  the 
enemy>  but  tbey  were  resisted  with  braverjr  and 
sueoess.  The  cannonade  was  continued  until  it 
was  fully  ascertained  that  no  breaoh  oould  be 
made ;  and  that  the  enemy  would  not  come  to  an 
eneagementy  when  the  Americans  withdrew  to 
Odell  Town,  and  afterwards  to  Ghamplain. 

Captain  M<Pher$on»  of  the  light  artillery, 
(military  secretary  to  Gen.  Wilkinson)  was,  at 
his  own  particular  req^uest,  placed  in  command 
of  the  guns  which  formed  the  battery  ;  be  was 
aided  by  Lieutenants  Larrabee  and  Sheldop.— 
Captain  M<Pherson  soon  received  a  wound  under 
the  chin>  which  he  tied  up  with  his  handkerchieO 
and  continued  at  bis  piece  until  a  second  shot, 
whiph  broke  his  thigh*  brought  him  to  the 
earth.  Larribee  had  kept  his  station  until  shot 
through  the  lungs ;  and  Sheldon  kept  up  the  fire 
until  ordered  to  retire.  The  conduct  of  every 
individual  attached  to  the  American  command^ 
was  marked  by  that  patriotism  and  prowess 
which  has  so  often  conquered  the  boasted  disci- 
pline, long  experience,  and  military  tactics  of  an 
enemy,  who  dared  not  to  expose  his  *<  invinoi- 
bles"  to  the  disgrace  of  being  defeated  by  a  less 
numerous  force  of  Yankee  woodsmen.. 

A  small  quantity  of  stores,  intended  for  the 
use  of  the  army  and  fleet  at  Sackett's  Harbour^ 
were  deposited  at  Fort  Oswego  f  and  a  (;onsider« 
able  quantity  at  the  Falls,  10  miles  in  the  rear 
of  the  fort.  The  enemy  prepared  an  expedition 
to  seize  both.  Lieut.  Col.  Mitchell,  of  the  ar* 
tillery,  arrived  at  Oswego-  on  the  30th  April, 
181^,  for  the  protection  of  that  place,  which  he 
finind  in  a  very  bad  state  of  defence.  Of  cannon, 
there  were  but  5  guns,  3  of  which  had  lost  their 
tnuuHADs^    IVhat  oould.  be  done  ia  the  way  ot 


'■''■A 

)■■*' 


■ .  ^^  If  pi' 

•"  mi- 


^  i  r,i 


:'  f4 


220 


UI8T0ET  OH  TBS  WAB* 


repair,  wiii  efl^eted ;  new  platforms  were  laidi 
tfae  gup  carriages  put  in  order,  and  decayed  pick- 
ets re-plaecd.  At  day-light,  on  the  morning  of 
fitli  May,  a  British  naval  force  of  4  ships,  s 
brigs,  and  a  number  of  gun  and  other  boats, 
were  discovered  at  about  7  miles  from  the  fort. 
The  force,  at  the  fort,  consisted  of  290  effectives, 
liiese  were  two  few  for  the  purpose  of  defence. 
It  became  necessary  to  disguise  this  weakness, 
and  to  keep  the  entire  in  one  place :  for  thispuiv 
pose  the  tents  were  pitched  on  one  side  or  the 
river,  and  the  men  were  all  ordered  to  the  othen 
At  one  o'clock,  15  large  barges,  crowded  with 
men,  moved  toward  the  side  opposite  that  on 
which  the  tents  were  pitched,  and  where  there 
appeared  the  least  show  of  resistanee.  Theto 
were  preceded  by  gun-boats,  to  cover  the  land* 
ing.  As  soon  as  the  boats  got  within  the  range 
of  shot,  a  very  successful  fire  was  opened  from 
the  shore-battery,  which  compelled  them  to  re- 
tire twice,  when  they  stood  off*,  and  returned  to 
their  ships.  Some  boats,  which  had  been  desert^ 
ed.  Were  taken  up  by  the  militia ;  one  of  the  boats 
Wft9  60  feet  long,  and  could  accommodate  150 
men.  ■      -    *  ;..,  '^^  /-^  ■  '^ . 

At  day-break,  on  the  6th,  the  fleet  again  eip- 
proachea  the  fort.  The  Wolfe,  and  other  ves- 
sels, kept  up  a  fire  for  three  hours  against  the 
fort  and  batteries.  Col.  Mitchell,  finding  t^at 
the  enemy  had  landed  about  2000  men,  withdrew 
his  small  force  into  the  rear  of  the  fort;  and, 
with  two  companies,  (Romayne  and  Melvin's) 
met  their  advancing  columns,  while  the  other 
companies  engaged  the  flanks  of  the  enemy.— 
"With  the  aid  of  Lieut.  Fierce,  of  the  navy  and 
some  seamen,  the  little  American  band  main- 
tained its  ground  for  half  an  hour.    Col.  Mitchell 


h   4.. 


msrottT  0»  THT  WAV;.. 


fsr 


re  laidi 
sd  pick- 
rning  of 
ihipS)  S 
r  boatSf 
the  fort, 
feotivef. 
defence, 
eaknessy 
Ibispuiv 
le  of  the 
iie  othen 
Sed  D?ith 

tliat  on 
ire  there 
,  TheM 
the  land« 
the  range 
tned  from 
Bin  to  re- 
turned to 
m  desert* 

the  boats 
odate  160 

again  ap- 
ttther  ves* 
gainst  the 
iding  that 
withdre^^ 
'ert;  and, 
*^Melvin*8) 
the  other 


then  marehed  his  force-y  but  not  preoipitately,  te 
the  fallsy  destroying  the  bridges  in  his  rear. — 
The  enemy,  although  eommanded  by  €^n.  Drum- 
inond  and'  Com*  Yeo,  did.  not  thinli  proper  to  pur- 
sue the  eolonel.  They  burned  the  old  barraclliSy 
and  evacuated  the  fort  about  three  o>'eleok  in  the 
morning  of  the-  7thi 

The  American  loss  amounted  19-6  killed,  SS 
wounded^  and  25  missing— total  69.  Deserters 
from  the  enemy  stated  his  loss  to  be  70  kHled# 
165  wounded,  drowned-  and  missing — total  235. 
Eight  piece»  of  cannon,  and  some  stores,  woj*th 
about  100  dollar8>  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands. 

On  no  oeeasion,  did  the  Americans  deserve 
bettr?  of  their  country ;  at  no  time  before,  did 
the  enemy  buy  victory  with  les»  advantage  to 
himself,  or  at  a  dearer  price.  The  companies* 
under-  command  of  Cel.  Mitehelfr  eonsisted  or 
Boyle'sf  Ilomayne's,  APIntire'«>  and  Pierce's^ 
heavy  artillery,  and  a  few  seamen;  in  all,  leas 
than  300  men^  Twice  they  repulsed,  and  for 
nearly  ttiro«  dayo  mfdntained  a:  contest  against 
seven  times  their  number,  and  finally  succeeded 
in  preserving  the  stores  at  the  fiills,  the  loss  of 
which  would  materially  impede'  the  operations 
•f  the  army  smd  navy.  The  enemy  carried  off 
60  of  Jhe  unarmed  inhabitants  of  the  villager 
who  were  stated  in  the*  British  report,  as  so  ma- 
ny prisoners. .         N  ^.  :-'*;    si^i;    ».  'Ir^-.  s.:..; 

On  the' 30th  May,  Ckpt.  Woolsey,  of  the  navy, 
being  on  his  return  from  Oswego^  with  18  boatSy 
earr^ing^a  number  of  cannon,- and  a  quantity  of 
*iSg'°S^or  the  new  vessels  at  Sackett's  Harbor^ 
pat  into  Sandy  Creek,  about  i^  mile»  from  the 
Harbour.  Fearing  an-  attack-  from  the  enemy^ 
Ahyor  Apling  was  placed,  with  120  riflemen,  and 
t&w-  of  the  Oneida  Indians^  in  the  woods^  on 


>m'- 


I  {] 


iTi  J  a 


^2 


mtTORT  Of  TAB  WAB« 


\ 


cAch  side  of  the  oi*eek ;  a  few  raw  milftia  wet^ 
sent  forward  to  make  a  show  of  resistance.  The 
plan  succeeded ;  the  militia^  on  the  first  fire  from 
the  enemy,  retreated  in  apparent  confusion,  and 
were  pursued  until  the  entire  passed  the  riflemen 
and  Indians,  who  were  in  ambush.  The  enemy 
was  attacked  in  rear,  while  a  battery  of  4  field 
pieces  opened  on  him  in  front.  The  contest  was 
not  of  long  dar;itioa.  After  ten  itiinutes  fighting, 
the  enemy  surrendered.  The  enemy  lost  2  post- 
captains,  4  ]ieutenants>  of  the  royal  navy^  prison- 
ers ;  2  lieutenants  of  marines,  wounded  and  pri- 
soners ;  1  midshipman,  and  13  sailors  and  ma. 
vines,  killed ;  28  sailors  and  marines  wounded, 
and  133  sailors  and  marines,  prisonerg.-'total  1^3.^ 
2<  gnu- boats  and  5  barges  were  taken.  Only  bm 
American  was  wounded. 

On  the  IMh  May,  the  enemy  landed  several 
hundred  men  at  Pultneyville,  (which  is  on  the 
anargin  of  Lake  Ontario,)  and  took  possession  of 
100  barrels  damaged  flour,  which  weP)  in  a  store 
«lo8e  by  the  lake.  Gen.  Swift,  on  hearing  of  the 
advance  of  the  enemy»  reached  Pultney viue  with 
about  ISO  volunteers  and  militia  $  but,  deeming 
this  force  too  small  to  oppose  a  numerous  enemy, 
within  range  of  the  guns  of  his  fleet,  he  did  not 
dispute  the  possession  of  the  damaged  flour;  but 
finding  the  enemy  proceeding  to  other  depreda- 
tions, he  commenced  a  fire  on  him  from  an  adja- 
oent  wood,  which  wounded  several  and  oompelled. 
him  to  re-emburk,  whena  connonade  commenced 
from  the  fleet  on  the  town,  without  doing  mate- 
rial injury.  A  large  quantity  of  flour  was  depo- 
sited about  a  mile  fVom  the  town,  which  the  eo- 
•my  chose  to  forego  the  plunder  of,  rather  than 
Irust  himself  in  the  w,oo.dB  with  Gen*.  Swifts  and 


\ 

HIITOBT  OF  TUB   IV Ail* 


323 


In  this  monthy  Col.  CampbelU  (10th  infliDtry) 
>vith  a  detaehment  of  6  or  000  mciiy  and  tome 
seamen  aeting;  as  artilleriiiSf  oroiied  flrom  Erie 
to  Long-Point.  About  50  British  dragoons  sta- 
tioned there  as  an  out-post  and  guard  to. public 
stores*  made  their  escap<*.  The  mills  employed 
in  manufaoturing  flour  for  the  enemyy  and  some 
bouses  occupied  as  stores,  were  burned.  When 
tlie  party  retumedf  ivithout  locing  a  man. 

The  following  transaction  with  the  enemy's 
fleet  on  Lake  Champlain^  will  be  best  explained 
by  giving  the  following  extract  of  a  letter  fh>m 
Major-General  Izard  commanding  the  flrst»  or 
division  of  the  right,  dated  at  his  nead-quartjers, 
May  17.  .     ,      , 

"  On  receiving  notice  of  the  enemy's  proceeding 
up  the  lake  on  the  13th  inst.  a  dettchment  of  light 
artillery,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Thornton,  of 
that  corps,  was  despatched  in  waggons  from  Burling- 
ton to  Vergennes,  where  they  manned  the  battery  at 
the  mouth  of  Otter  Creole.  At  day-break,  (on  the 
14th)  the  enemy  attacked  with  his  whole  force,,  and 
after  a  severe  cannonade  of  two  hours  and  a  half, 
during  which  they  suffered  very  considerably,  they 
vrithdrew  to  repair  damages.  Yesterday  they  de- 
parted this  place,  having  some  of  their  vessels  in 
tow,  and  are  gone,  to  their  own  ports.  Two  of  their 
galleys  are  said  to  be  missing.  No  damage  was 
done  on  our  side,  excepting  dismounting  one  gun  in 
the  battery,  by  which  two  men  were  slightly  wound* 
ed." 

• 

The  Chesapeake  Bay  was  likely,  and  proved^ 
to  continue  a  theatre  of  the  enemy^s  depreda- 
tions. A  numher  of  boats,  carrying  heavy  me- 
tal, were  constructed  in  March,  1814,  on  the 
eastern  ^hore  o^  .Maryland,  for  the  protection  of 
the  bay^  and  the  oommand  of  them  given  lto,that 


m 


I  V 


I  f'l 


'  fv 


i* 


324 


BllTOBT  OV  TBS  WAK 


t 


intrepid  oAoerf  Commodore  Barney.  Tbit  flo^ 
tillft  proved  a  Kreat  annqyanee  to  tlie  enemy, 
wai  an  ol^eot  of  liis  constant  attention^  and  was 
finally  destroyed,  as  will  be  hereafter  partieular- 
ly  detailed. 

Hie  enemy  had  a  sliirmish  on  the  29th  May, 
with  the  Aeeomaok  militia,  whioh  reflected  the 
highest  honour  on  the  latter.    Between  6  and  7 
o'oloek  in  the  morning,  the  enemy  entered  the 
Pamgoteaqoe  'creek.    They  were  at  first  most 
gallantly  met  by  2d  Jaeut.  iJnde/hill,  of  the  ar. 
tilfery,  and  6  or  7  men,  who  stood  the  fire  of 
their  18  pounders,  grape,  musketry  and  Congreve 
rockets,  then  within  60  yards*  when  Lieut.  Un- 
-  derhilly  finding   all  further  resistance  utterly 
useless,  and  not  having  a  sufficient  force  to  re- 
move the  artillery*  caused  it  to  be  spiked,  and 
retreated.    The  piece  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
%;   .enemy*  who  also  destroyed  some  trifiing  build- 
ings, whieh  had  been  occupied  as  barracks.— 
^  Findlnc  no  resistance   from  the  point  which 
'    Lieut.  Underbill  had  occupied,  they 'commenced 
their  landing,  and  in  a  few  minutes  had  from  450 
to  500  men,  200  of  whom  were  negroes,  all  welV 
armed,  formed,  and  advancing  from  the  shore, 
'    the  negroes  io  front*    From  the  place  of  their 
landing*  they  marched  about  three  quarters  of  a 
mile  into  the  cduntry*  where  they  were  met  by  a 
party  of  militia,  not  more  than  25  in  number. — 
This  Kttle  band  stood  for  two  hours,  the  whole 
force  of  the  eaemy.    At  this  time  the  militia  be- 
gan to  collect*  wnich  the-  enemy  perceiving,  re- 
.    treated  tahis  ships, and  thus  escaped  being  either 
kHled  or  taken  prisoners.    During  their  stay  on 
land*  the  enemy  committed  several  petty  robbe* 
ries  and  shamenil  ezoessesi  oasryiog  away  baeon^ 
IMltryf.  dothesi^o*. 


■IITOAT   01  Tin  WAS. 


%%a 


Commodore  Barney  got  under  way  on  the  Itt 
June,  vrith  hit  flotilla,  in  the  Patuzent»  with  the 
intention  to  engage,  or  chaie  away  the  enemy. 
On  approaehing  them,  he  disoovered  two  lohoon- 
eri,  one  a  full  rigged,  showing  nine  porti  on  a 
side.  When  off  St  Jerome's,  he  discovered  a 
large  ship  under  way,  and  that  she  had  despatch- 
ed a  number  of  boats  to  the  aid  of  the  schooners. 
The  wind  having  veered  so  as  to  prove  unfavour- 
able to  the  flotilla,  the  commodore  made  signal 
for  the  Patuxent,  and  was  followed  by  a  74»  three 
Bohooners,  and  seven  barges.  After  doubling 
I'ound  Cedar-Point,  in  the  mouth  of  the  river,  he 
found  that  gun-boat  No.  137,  was  so  fiir  astern^ 
that  she  must  be  taken,  or  saved  by  an  enga^^e- 
ment.  The  commodore  brought  the  Seorpion 
and  gun-boat  No.  138,  to  anchor,  sent  men  on 
board  the  boat  137,  to  row  and  tow  her  in,  and 
signaled  his  other  vessels  to  return  and  join  him. 
The  Soorpion,  and  boat  138,  opened  a  fire  on  a 
large  schooner,  and  a  number  of  barges,  which 
haagot  ahead  of  the  boat  137.  The  commo- 
dore's barges,  at  this  time,  had  returned,  and, 
rowing  down  on  the  enemy,  gave  them  a  number 
of  shots,  and  then  returned  into  port  with  all  the 
flotilla.  This  bold  exploit  did  great  honour  tp 
Barney  and  his  crews.  .  ,i  -  ;  .r 

The  enemy  landed  at  Cedar-Point,  in  the  even* 
ing  of  the  4<th  June,  and  carried  off  several  ne- 
groes, and  considerable  stock  from  the  planta* 
tion  of  Mr.  Sewal. 

The  enemy's  squadron,  being  reinforced  by  a 
razee  and  sloop  of  war,  the  commodore  moved 
his  flotilla  up  to  the  mouth  of  St.  Leonardos 
creek.  At  B,  P.  M.  the  8th  June,  he  perceived 
a  ship,  a  brig,  ^  schooners  and  ±5  barges,  com- 
ing up  the  Patuxent,  whtreon  the  commodore 


It:  1 


m 


.'V 


226 


BISTORT  Of  THE  WMSL 


!i'i 


i 


moved  bis  flotilla  about  two  miles^up  tbe  creek, 
and  there  moored  them  in  line  abreast^  across 
the  channel,  and  prepared  for  action.  At  & 
A.  M.  the  enemy's  barges  came  np  the  creek,  tlie 
ship,  &c.  were  anchored  at  the  mouth  of  the 
creek;  a  rocket  barge  was  advanced  on  the  flo^ 
tHla.  At  this  time,  the  commodore  got  his  bar- 
ges (13  in  number)  under  way,  leaving  the  Scor* 
pion  and  gun-boats  at  anchor,  and  rowed  down 
upon  the  enemy,  when  they  preeipitately^  sailed 
and  rowed  off,  with  all  their  means.  The  com- 
^modore  pursued  them,  until  near  their  shipping 
when  his  barges  were  brought  back  to  their 
moorings.  In  the  afternoon  the  enemy  came  up 
the  creek  again,  threw  some  rockets,  and  were 
again  pursued,  and  driven  out  of  the  creek,  hi 
the  flotilla. 
.  >  The  situation  of  Commodore  Baiiiey,  and  his 
flotilla,  in  St.  Leonard's  creek,  was  really  un- 
pleasant and  critical.  He  was,  however,  reliev- 
ed, by  a  bold  and  successful  attack  on  the  enero; 
on  the  morning  of  the  26th  June. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  Commodore  Bar- 
ney's report,  to  the  Secretary  of  the  navy : 

'>  4(  Sir— >Thxs  morning,  at  4,  A.  M.  a  combined  at- 
tack of  the  artillery,  marine  corps  and  flotilla,  was 
made  upon  the  enemy's  two  frigates  at  the  mouth  of 
the  creek.  After  two  hour's  engagement,  they  got 
under  way  and  made  sail  down  the  river.  They  are 
now  warping  round  Point  Patience,  and  I  am  moving 
up  the  Patuxent  ^^ohyx  my  flotilla.  My  loss  is  acting 
midshipman  Asquith,  killed,  and  ten  others,  killed 
and  wounded.    With  respect,  8cc. 

JOSHUA  BARNEY," 

7n  June,  the  enemy  landed  about  400  men.  and 

burned  the  tobacco  warehouses  at  Lower  Marl- 

,  borough,  aud  Magruder's  ferry,  and  also  Cole's 


HISTOBT  01  THB  WAB* 


327 


vare9i<ni8e.  It  is  Smpossible,  in  our  present 
liDiits>  to  detail  every  petty  and  wanton  act  of  an 
uDprinoipled  and  mean  enemy  5  where  he  could 
remove  the  plundered  property,  he  removed  it ; 
what  he  eottld  not  remove,  he  destroyed.  In 
Calvert)  near  Lower  Marlborough,  they  forced 
away  with  them  some  negroes ;  also  took  some 
eattle  and  poultry. 

A  person  who  repaired  to  the  scene  of  depre- 
dation, after  the  enemy  had  retired,  wrote  to  his 
friend  in  Baltimore,  •<  It  would  have  distressed 
you  to  see  the  tobaceo  at  Magruder*s,  burning, 
as  I  did,  this  evening.  Eleven  Hundred  hogS' 
headSf  nearly  all  consumed,  and  about  four  hun- 
dred at  Lower  Marlborough,  where  they  tool&  a 
schooner  (Capt.  David's)  and  loaded  her." 

The  enemy  performed  one  exploit,  which,  if 
not  tarnished  by  the  barbarous  use  he  made  of 
conquest,  would  have  left  him  one  ipstance  of 
victory  not  petty. 

The  enemy  appeared  in  great  foroe  in  tho 
Chesapeake,  about  the  middU)  of  August,  1814. 
More  than  50  of  his  vessels  entered  the  Patus- 
ent,  and  landed  about  5000  troops  and  marines^ 
chiefly  about  Benedict,  40  miles  southeast  of  the 
eity  of  Washington.  The  force,  at  the  disposU 
lion  of  Gen.  Winder,  who  had  been  appointed  to 
the  eommand  of  this  district,  was  unfortunately 
inadequste  to  defend  the  city,  and  it  fell  into  the 
power  of  the  enemy.  The  entire  force  of  every 
description  which  could  be  collected  to  oppose 
the  enemy,  did  not  exceed  5000  men;  these, 
however,  would  have  been  sufficient  for  the  par- 
pose,  had  they  all  acted  with  equal  firmness« 
Of  these  »eveiBl  hundreds  arrived  after  the  bat- 
tle commenced,  and  many  after  the  retreat  had 
been  ordered.  The  foroe  actually  engaged,  iros 
less  than  3000. 


3 

t 


i 


}= 


'22S 


HISTOnr  OF  THE   WAtt. 


'i' 


i. 


On  the  SOthy  Col.  Munroe,  who  proceeded  the 
previous  day,  with  Col.  Thornton's  troop  of 
horse,  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy,  reported  that 
the  enemy  had  landed  in  force.  Capts.  Caldwell 
and  Tilghman,  with  their  commands  of  cavalry, 
were  sent  in  the  afternoon  of  this  day  to.  annoy 
the  enemy  in  his  iadvance,  and  remove  such  sup- 
plies of  provisions  as  lay  in  his  route.  On  the 
22d,  the  British  flankers  approached  the  wood- 
yard,  12  miles  from  the  city,  where  Gen.  Winder, 
with  his  main  body,  was  posted. — The  line  of 
battle  was  formed  by  the  American  troops,  but 
the  enemy  filed  off  to  the  left.  At  9  "o'clock, 
Commodore  Barney  caused  his  flotilla  to  be  de- 
stroyed, and  he  proceeded  with  his  men  to  lake 
pdst  in  front  of  the  enemy.  i 

On  the  evening  of  the  23d,  Gen.  Win'^er^s 
hep^-quarters  were  at  Battalion  Fields,  within 
8  miles  of  the  city,  and  a  short  distance  from 
Bladensburg.  At  1  o'clock,  on  the  24th,  the 
army  was  posted  on  the  right  of  Bladensburg, 
about  half  a  mile  distant  from  the  village.  The 
artillery,  from  Baltimore,  supported  by  Major 
Pinckney's  rifle  battalion,  and  a  part  of  Captain 
Doughty's,  from  the  navy  yard,  were  in  advance, 
to  command  the  pass  of  the  bridge  at  Bladens- 
burg. Soon  after  1  o'clock,  the  enemy  appear* 
ed,  advancing  toward  the  bridge  over  the  east- 
ern  branch.  When  they  reached  the  bridge, 
which  they  did  in  solid  column,  the  artillery 
opened  a  warm  fire  on  them,  and  the  riflemen, 
and  a  regiment  of  militia,  were  soon  engaged. 
Before  2  o'clock,  the  enemy  advanced  so  close 
on  the  Baltimore  volunteers,  as  to  force  them 
to  retreat,  bringing  with  them  their  artillery 
and  arms,  except  one  piece,  which  was  lost  by 
the  nnruliness  of  the  horses.     The  retreat  was 


ecded  the 
troop  of 
Drted  that 
.  Cald\^ell 
f  cavalry, 
^  to.  annoy 
such  8up- 
.     On  Ihe 
the  wood- 
n.  Winder, 
'he  line  of 
roops,  hut 
9  Vclock, 
a  to  be  de- 
BD  to  lake 


UISTOltT   OF  THfi   WAB. 


not  the  effect  of  cowardice^  for  no  men  tould 
behave  with  more  honour  to  themselves.  Wliile 
they  fought,  they  made  a  galling  impression  on 
the  enemy,  ami  when  forced  to  yield  before 
numbers  vastly  superior,  they  would,  no  doiibt* 
have  yet  sought  a  place  from  'which  to  triumph 
in  a  contest  so  handsomely  began,  but  they  were 
not  properly  supported.  The  right  and  centre 
of  Stansbury's  brigade,  consisting  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Bagan  and  Shuler's  regiments,  gene-* 
rally  gave  way,  and  fled  in  disorder,  nor  could 
they  be  rallied,  with  the  exception  of  about  40 
men,  and  a  part  of  Captaih  Shower's  company 
both  of  whom,  even  thus  deserted,  made  a  galr 
iant  but  ineffectual  stand.  Col.  Ragan,  in  Jiis 
great  efforts  to  rally  his  men,  was  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner.  The  Bth  Baltimore  rai- 
ment, under  Lieut.  Col.  Sterrett,  being  thejieft 
of  Gen.  Stansbury's  brigade,  still  stood  their 
ground,  and,  exeept  for  a  moment,  when  part  of 
them  recoiled  a  few  steps,  remained  firm  until 
ordered  to  retreat.  ?*rii:3  '  •••  t  Is;.  v^tJ^tS;.  .m^ 

The  reserve,  under  General  Smith,  of  the 
District  of  Columbia,  -  wkh  the  militia,  of  tho 
eity  and  Georgetown,  with  the  regulars,  and  some 
detachments  of  Maryland  militia^  flanked  oa 
tiieir  right  by  Com.  Bariiey  and  his  men,  anil 
Col.  Beal,  maintained  the  contest  with  great  ef- 
fect, until  overpowered  by  numbers.  Barney 
and  his  gallant  men  had  just  gained  the  ground 
from  a  station  near  the  navy  yard,  and  opened 
from  three  18  penndera,  a  Are,  which  for  the 
tim^  it  lasted,  and  considering  the  means,  was 
jierliaps  the  most  destructive  and  active  that 
has  ever  been  experienced.  The  brave  Barney 
iell  severely  wounded,  into  the  hap4«  of  the 
caemy.    His  men  fought,  under  his  orders,  un* 

IT 


'1| 


!  m 


K       :         T 


'■<  »■ 


2d0 


mSTOBT  OF  THE   WAR. 


1 . 


ill  tlie  enemy  reached  nearly  to  the  muzzles  of 
the  guns ;  nor  did  they  retire  until  ordered  to  do 
soy  after  every  hope  of  victory  vanished.  The 
enemy  treated  the  Commodore  with  that  courte- 
sy and  attention,  which  his  splendid  merit  could 
not  fail  to  inspire. 

The  battle  being  now  over,  after  continuing 
more  than  an  hour,  Gen.  Ross  who  commanded 
the  land  force,  and  Admiral  Cockburn,  who  com- 
manded the  seamen  and  marines,  entered  the 
'City  with  a  part  of  their  forces.  And  now  be- 
gan a  scene,  which,  in  the  opinion  even  of  a  sa- 
vage, would  disgrace  the  characters  while  living, 
and,  after  death,  consign  to  eternal  infamy,  the 
names  of  these  two  commanders.  Never  will 
barbarism  and  the  fate  of  Washington  be  cou^ded 
in  history',  without  being  accompanied  by  the 
names  of  Ross  and  Cockburn.  The  destruction 
of  private  property  would  be  in  chara«^ter  with 
the  conduct  which  disgraced  the  British  arms  in 
the  Chesapeake  and  elsewhere.  The  triumph- 
ant entry  of  the  marauders  into  the  capital  of 
an  infant  republic,  gave  them  an  opportunity 
of  proving  the  respect  in  which  they  held  the 
arts,  sciences,  and  literature.  «  They,"  to  use 
the  words  of  President  Madison*s  proclama- 
tion, «  wantonly  destroyed  the  public  edifices, 
having  no  relation  in  their  structure  to  ope- 
rations of  war,  nor  used  at  any  time  for  mili- 
tary annoyance;  some  of  these  edifices  being 
Also  costly  monuments  of  taste  and  of  the  arts, 
find  others,  depositories  of  the  public  archieves, 
not  only  precious  to  the  nation,  as  the  memori- 
als of  its  origin,  and  its  early  transactions,  but 
interesting  to  all  nations,  as  contributions  to  the 
general  stock  of  historical  instruction  and  poli- 
tical seience."    With  the  public  buildings,  the 


UlfiTORT   Of  THE  VAB* 


^i 


national  library  was  destroyed.  Cockburn  at- 
tcndedy^n  person,  to  the  destruction  of  the  print- 
ing materials,  in  the  office  of  the  National  In^tel- 
ligencer.  A  few  private  buildings  were  burned. 
Tlie  navy-yard,  with  all  its  shipping  and- stores* 
including  a  new  frigate  and  sloop  of  war,  were 
destroyed,  previous  to  its  occupation  by  the  ene^- 
my.  The  British  army  retired  in  the  night  of 
the  25th,  in  prudent  hurry,  and  with  studied  si- 
lence, leaving  several  of  their  wounded  behind, 
and  some  of  their  dead  unburied.  The  Ameri- 
can loss  was  stated  by  General  Winder,  to  be  be- 
tween 50  and  40  killed,  from  BO  to  GO  wounded, 
and  about  120  taken  prisoners*  <«  From  the  best, 
intelligenoe,"  says  the  general,  '*  there  remains 
but  little  doubt,  that  the  enemy  lost>  at  leasts- 
^60  killed  and  wounded,  and  of  these,  a  very  un- 
usual portion  killed." 

Fort  Warburton  having  been  deserted  by  the* 
U.  S.  troops,  commanded  by  Captain  Dyxon, 
and  consequently  destroyed  by  the  enemy,  the 
latter  advanced  towards  Alexandria,  the-  civil 
authority  of  which,  submitted  to  the  most  dis-; 
graceful  terms  of  capitulation,  by  which  the  city 
was  giyen  up  to  plunder.  The  enemy  carried  off 
14  vessels,  laden  with  flour,  tobacco,  cotton, 
groceries,  and  a  variety  of  goods,  taken  from 
the  private  stores. 

A  series  of  the  most  daring  exertions  were 
made  by  Commodores  Rodgers,  Porter  and  jPer- 
ry,  with  their  seamen,  and  some  of  the  Virginia 
militia,  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  enemy  with, 
his  booty,  but  he  got  off,  with  some  loss,  taking 
the  plunder  with  him.  Terms,  similar  to  those, 
accepted  by  Alexandria,  were  offered  to  George- 
town,,whiob  the  latter  ^  indignantly  rcyected^  and& 
escaped  being  plundered. 


V    '      ii; 


■!  ,1*;  '. 


!     ■'- 


m 


y:;--  .^a 


I'f  f 


I 


I 


t:  •'f 


f 

: 


I: 


^32 


niSTOKY   OF  ?HB  WAR. 


Tbe  enemy  attempted  tu  justif)'  liis  predatory 
'ivarfiire  in  the  Chesapeake,  and  elsewhere,  hy 
professing,  that  ho  acted  in  retaliation  of  exces- 
ses, sai-J  by  him,  to  have  been  committed  hy 
the  armies  of  the  United  States,  in  Canada.-*. 
Nothing,  however,  couhl  be  farther  from  truth. 
The  conduct  of  the  republican  armies  could,  by 
no  fair  construction,  justify  the  barbarities  of 
the  enemy,  and  it  was  well  known,  that  the  rob- 
beries and  destruction  of  private  property  and 
buildings,  particularly  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
Chesapeake,  and  its  tributary  streams,  had,  in 
many  instances,  preceded  those  said  to  have  been 
committed  by  the  Americans. 

The  enemy,  probably  emboldened  by  his  suc- 
cess at  Washington,  projected  a  descent  on,  ^nd 
•f  course,  the  plundering  and  burning  the  city 
of  Baltimore.  The  movements  of  the  enemy 
having  led  to  a  suspicion  of  his  design,  General 
Samuel  Smith,  the  rerelntionary  hero  and  de- 
fender of  Mud-fort,  made  some  early  disposi- 
tions to  i-epel  an  invasion,  if  such  should  be  at- 
tempted. 

Gen.  Striker  was  detached,  on  the  evening  of 
the  lith  September,  with  a  portion  of  his  bri- 
gade, on  the  North-point-road.  Major  Bandal, 
of  the  Baltimore  county  militia,  having  under 
his  command,  a  light  corps  of  riflemen,  and  mus- 
ketry, taken  from  General  Stansbury's  brigade, 
and  the  Pennsylvahia  volunteers,  was  detached 
to  the  mouth  of  Bear- creek,  with  orders  to  co- 
0|)erate  with  Gen.  Striker,  and  to  check  any 
landing  which  the  enemy  might  attempt  in  that 
quarter. 

On  Monday,  the  12th,  the  enemy  landed  be- 
tween 8000  and  9000  men,  at  NortH-point,  H 
wiles  ii'om  Baltimore^  the  land  force  under  com- 


HISTORY  OF  THE   WAB. 


2dS> 


mand  of  Gen.  Ross,  the  seamen  under  Admiral 
Cockburn.  Gen.  Striker  iiad^  that  mornings 
taken  a  good  position  at  the  juuction  of  the 
roadsy  leading  from  Baltimore  to  the  North- 
pointf  having  his  right  flanked  by  the  Bear-6reek» 
and  his  left  by  a  m'<*rsh.  Here  he  \¥aited  ilie 
approach  of  the  enemy,  having  sent  on  an  ad- 
vance corps,  under  the  command  of  Maj.  Heath* 
ol'  the  5th  regiment.  «  This  advance,"  says 
Gen.  Smith,  in  his  report,  **  met  Qte  enemy,  and 
after  some  skirmishing*  it  returned  to  the  line« 
the  main  body  of  the  enemy  being  at  a  short 
distance  in  the  rear  of  their  advance.  Between 
'2  and  3  o'clock,  the  enemy's  whole  force  came 
up  and  commenced  the  battle,  by  some  dischar- 
ges of  rockets,  which  were  succeeded  by  the 
cannon  from  both  sides,  and  soon  after  the  ac- 
lion  became  general  along  the  line.  Gen.  Strik- 
er gallantly  maintained  his  ground  against  a 
great  superiority  of  numbers,  during  the  space 
of  an  hour  and  twenty  minutes*  when  the  regi- 
ment on  his  left  (the  51st)  giving  way,  he  wasv 
under  the  necessity  of  retiring  to  the  ground  in 
his  rear,  where  he  had  stationed  one  regiment 
as  a  reservie.  He  here  formed  his  brigade ;  but 
the  enemy  not  thinking  it  advisable  to  pursue^  . 
he»  in  compliance  with  arrangements,  fell  back 
and  took  pest  on  the  left  of  my  entrenchments, 
and  half  a  mile  in 'advance  of  thera,"^ 

The  following  eicti*acts,  from  Gen.  Smith's 
report,  will  best  explain  the  further  movements 
of  the  raspective  armies.  i^o^sd  ^i«M:b  t*itvv 

<t  About  the  tim<^  Gen.  Striker  haa  takeii  the 
ground  just  mentioned,  he  was  joined  by  Brig.  Gen.   '. 
Winder,  who  had  been  staUoned  on  the  west  side  of 
the  city,  but  was  now  ordered  to  march  with  Gen.    : 
Douglas's  brigade  of  Virginia,  militia,  and  the  U.  S. 
dragoons;  under  Capt.  Bird)  and  take  post  on  the  left 


■•',     I,  V  'I 


.iff- 


^  im 


!■■■ 


1] 


i^i 


1 


■  •  ■*» 


234 


HISTORT  OF  THE    WAA. 


of  Genetal  Striker.  During  these  movements,  the 
brigades  of  Generals  Stansbury  and  Foreman,  the 
seamen  and  marines  under  Com.  Rodgers,  the  Penn- 
sylvania volunteers,  under  Cols.  Cobcan  and  Find- 
ley,  the  Baltimore  artillery,  under  Col.  Harris,  and 
the  maritime  artillery,  under  Captain  Stiles,  man- 
ned the  trenches  and  the  batteries— all  prepared  to 
receive  the  enemy.  Wc  remained  in  this  siluation 
during  the  night.      ,;  i   ;. 

«  On  Tuesday,  the  enemy  appeared  in  front  of 
my  entrenchments,  at  the  distance  of  two  miles,  on 
the  PhiliEidelphia  road,  from   whence  he  had  a  full 
\\eyr  of  our  position.     He  manoeuvred  during  the 
morning  towards  our  left,  as  if  with  the  intention 
of  making  a  circuitous  march,  and  coming  down  on 
the  Harford  or  York  roads.    Generals  Winder  and 
Striker  were  ordered  to  adapt  their  movementb  '.o 
those  of  the  enemy,  so  as  to  baffle  this  supposed  in- 
tention.   They  executed  this  order  with  great  skill 
&nd  judgment,  by  taking  an  advantageous  position, 
stretching  from  my  left  across  the  country,  when  the 
enemy  was  likely  to  approach  the  quarter  he  seem- 
ed to  threaten.    This  movement  induced  the  en- 
emy to  concentrate  his  forces  (between  one  and  two 
»'clock,)  in  my  front,  pushing  his  advance  to  within 
a  mile  of  us,  driving  in  our  videttes,  and  showing 
an  intention  of  attacking  us  that  evening.    I  imme- 
diately drew  Gens.  Winder  and  Striker  nearer  to 
die  left  of  my  entrenchments,  and  to  tl^e  right  of  the 
enfmy,  ivith  the  intention  of  their  falling  on  his 
right  or  rear,  should  he  attack  me  ;or  if  he  declin- 
ed it|  of  attacking  him  in  the  morning.     To  this 
movement,  and  to  the  strength  of  my  .defence,  which 
the  enemy  had  the  fairest  opportunity  of  observing, 
I  am  induced  to  attribute  his  retreat,  which  was 
eommenced  at  half  past  one  o'clock  on  Wednesday 
XAorning.    In  this  he  was  so  favoured  by  the  extresie 
darkness,  and  a  continued  rain,  that  ire  did  not  dis* 
«Dver  it  until  day-light. 

«  I  have  now  the  pleasure  of  calling  your  atten- 
^n  to  the  brave  commander  of  Fort  M<  Henry,  Maj. 


llISTbRY  or  THE    WAIl. 


235 


Armistead)  and  to  the  operations   confined  to  that 
quarter.     The  enemjr  made  his  approach  by  water 
at  the  same  time  that   his  army  was  ad^'rcing  on 
the  Tand)  and  commenced  a  discharge  o<  bombs  and 
rockets  at  the  fort,   as  soon  he  got  within  range 
of  it.     The  situation  of  Major  Armistead  was  pecu- 
liarly trying— the  enemy,  having  taken  his  position 
such  a  distance,  as  to  render  offensive  operations  on 
the  part  of  the  fort   entirely  fruitless,  whilst  their 
bombs  and  rockets  were  every  motnent  falling  in 
and  about  it—the  officers  and  men,  at  the  same  time 
entirely  exposed.     The  vessels,  h<)wever,  had  the 
temerity  to  approach  somewhat  neater— they  were 
as  soon  compelled  to  withdraw,    touring  the  night, 
whilst  the  enemy  on  land  was  retreating,  and  whilst, 
the   bombardment  was  most  severe,  two  or  threes 
rocket  vessels  and  barges  succeeded  in  getting  up 
the  Ferry  Branch,  but  they  were  soon  compelled  to 
retire,  by  the  forts  in  that  quarter,  commanded  by 
Lieut.  Newcomb,  of  the  navy,  and  Lieut.  Webster,  of 
the  flotilla.     These  forts  also  destroyed  one  of  the 
barges,  with  all  on  board.    The  barges  and  batte'^ 
at  the  Lazaretto,  under  the  commandof  Lieut.  Ruiter, 
ot'  the  flotilla,  kept  up  a  brisk,  and  it  is  believed,  a 
successful  fire,  during  the  hottest  period  of  the 
bombardment."    ■>..,-,:».. ..:.^>.-^'i.r^  '^  ...■:  i,.:;?i..v.W-   . 
It  was  impossible  for  veteran,  or  the  most  ex^ 
perionced  troops,  to  act  with  more  firm  dUci^ 
pline,  or  cool  courage,  than  the  citizens  of  Bal- 
timore, and  the  troops  engaged,  did  on  this  oc- 
easion,  with  the  exception  already  mentioned.. 
A  pursuit  of  the  enemy  was  attempted,  iivilhouty 
liowerer,  doing  hi  in  much  injury.    The  troops 
were  so  exhausted,  with  three  days  find  nights 
fatigue*  that  they  could  do  little  more  than  pick 
up  a  few  stragglers.    A  line  of  defences  thrown 
up  by  the  Americans  from  Baek  River  to  Hum- 
phries' Creek,  on  the  Patapsco,  were  used  by  "the 
enemy  to  protect  his  embarkadion.. 


^t."ll 


;     L.:. 


5-" 


'iSQ 


HISTORY  OF  THE   >VAR. 


As  a  measure  necessary  (o  the  taking  of  Daf. 
timoroy  Admiral  Ci^ckburn  sent,  ^vhat  he  re]i(>d 
on  as  a  competent  force  to  take  Fort  M*lJcnry, 
Hituated  on  a  point  of  land  about  two  miles  frr>iii, 
the  city.  The  enemy's  \esRcIs  were  ranged  on 
the  12th}  at  a  respectable  distaneef  in  front  of 
the  work8.  At  an  early  hour,  on  the  12th,  six 
bomb,  and  some  rocket  vessels,  commenced  the 
attack,  but  at  such  a  distance  as  to  have  little 
effeet.  A  vaet  many  very  heavy  bombs  and^ 
rockets  were  thrown  from  the  shipping,  and  an- 
swered pro  forma  from  the  fort,  the  Lazaretto, 
battery,  and  barges.  This  noisy  play  lasted  un- 
til near  3  P.  M.  when  the  enemy  dropped  nearer 
the  battery.  The  firing  now  became  more  fre- 
quent, and  soon  became  tremendous ;  but  the  en- 
emy finding  that  the  men  in  the  fort  could  hit  as 
well  as  fire,  soon  slipped  their  cables,  and  drew 
off*  to  their  former  distance,  from  which  they 
continued  the  uombardment. 

Favoured  by  a  dark  night,  one  or  two  of  the 
enemy's  bomb-vessels,  and  sevpral  barges,  with 
1200  chosen  men,  passed^  the  fort  at  about  one 
o'clock  iji  the  morning  of  the  14tli,  and  pro- 
ceeded  up  the  Patapsco,  to  attack  the  town  in 
the  rear,  and  probably  with  a  view  to  cflTeet  a 
landing.  From  their  new  station,  they  com- 
menced a  very  warm  throwing  of  bombs  and 
rockets,  but  were  repaid  with  such  rigour  and 
efiect,  that  the  screams  of  tireir  wounded  could 
be  heared  in  the  midst  of  a  roar  of  arms,  that 
made  the-  houses  in  the  city  shake,  for  nearly 
an  hour  and  a  half.  '  About  three,  o'clock  the  en^ 
emy  retired,  mnch  crippled*,  to  his  former  re- 
spectful distance,  when  lie  again  commenced  the 
lM>mbardment,  and  continued  it  until  day-light, 
iKhea  -he  finally  withdrew.    The  entire  duratioiia 


(  -. 


UIST0RT  Off  THX  WAH« 


^7 


of  the  bombardment  wai  little  short  of  24  houri. 
The  loss  of  the  enemy»  on  board  his  vessels,  ean- 
not  be  aseertained,  but  was  undoubtedly  great  $ 
that  in  Fort  M'Henry  was  astonishingly  small, 
consisting  of  4  kiiled,  and  about  30  wounded.— 
Major  Armistead  commanded  the  fort.  A  party 
of  Com.  Rodgers'  erew  was  posted  at  Fort  Cov- 
ington ;  Barney's  flotilla  men  were  stationed  at 
tlie  city  battery. 

The  enemy's  retreat  was  attended  with  mor- 
tification and  disappointment.  Gen.  Ross,  the 
destroyer  of  'Washington,  was  killed ;  and,  at 
least  £00  men,  killed,  woonde<l,  and  missine.— - 
The  entire  American  loss  did  not  exceed  20  kill- 
ed, 90  wounded,  ami  47  mfssinff. 

The  enemy  was  at  Chaptieo  in  October.  The 
following  partienlara  of  the  excesses  eommitted 
at  that  place  appeared  in  the  Alexandria  Her- 
ald, signed  Robert  Wright  >"}./.: 


**  I  passed  through  Chaptieo  shortly  after  the  ene- 
my left  it,  asod  I  am  sorry  w  say,  that  their  conduct 
would  have  disgraced  Cannibals ;  the  houses  were 
torn  to  pieces,  the  well  which  afforded  water  for 
the  inhabitants,  was  filled  up,  and,  what  is  still 
worse,  the  church,  and  the  ashes  of  the  dead,  shar- 
ed equally  bad  or  worse  fate.  Will  you  believe  me, 
whea  1  tell  you  that  the  sunken  graves  were  con- 
verted into  barbacue  holes ! ! !  The  remaining  glass 
of  the  church  windows  broken,  the  communion  ta» 
ble  used  as  a  dinner  table,  and  then  broken  to 
pieces  !  Bad  as  the  above  may  appear,  it  dwindles  in- 
to insignificance,  when  compared  with  what  follows : 
the  vault  was  entered,  and  the  remains  of  the  dead 
ilisturbed.  Yes,  my  friend^  the  winding  sheet  was 
torn  from  the  body  of  a  lady  of  the  first  respecta- 
bility, and  the  whole  contents  of  the  vault  cntfa'c*' 
l^derangedll !"  ^  k        ,  , ... 


«d 


■n'^ 


■  ■«. 


23$ 


IIISTORT  07  THE  IV AR. 


I  I 


Soon  after  leaving  Chapiico,  the  enemy' vUit- 
od  St.  Inigoes,  in  St.  Mary's  county*  Maryland. 
Tliis  was  the  habitation  of  a  miHsioiiary*  and 
the  soite  of  a  Roman  Catholic  church.  Nothing 
oould  be  expected  but  the  furniture  of  the  {iriest, 
and  plate  of  the  church.  Both  were  takeoi 
ieather-bedsy  sheets*  blankets*  curtains,  spoons* 
knires*  forks*  &c.  were  taken  away  or  destroy- 
ed $  the  sacred  vestments  were  thrown  about* 
the  vessels*  cdnsecrated  to  the  service  of  God, 
prophaned*  the  altar  stript  naked*  the  taber- 
nacle carried  oif*  and  the  blessed  sacrament 
borne  away  in  the  hands  of  those  sacrilegious 
wretches.  Some  few  articles  were  restored  at 
the  instance  of  the  British  officer*  who  would 
probably  wish  to  see  the  entire  restored*  bur, 
bei>ouldnot  command  them;  « they  are**'  said 
be*  «  a  set  of  ruffians."  Some  oth«r  articles* 
belonging  to  the  church*  were  restored  in  a  few 
days  afterwards. 

The  following  circumstance  proves  how  dear- 
ly the  enemy  gains  a  v*9tory>  when  opposed  by  a 
iorce*  however  small. 

Qn  the  evening  of  the  5th  November,  Capt. 
Gordon*  naval  commander  at  Norfolk  despatch. 
ed  2  tenders*  and  4  boats*  off  Black  River*  for  the 
purpose  of  conveying  several  craft,  then  lying  i,h 
that  river*  and  bound  to  Norfolk.  The  vessels 
were*  unfortunately,  separated  during,  the  niglit ; 
the  boats,  owing  to  a  rough  sea*.returned  to  Nor- 
folk. .  The  two  tenders*  .Franklin  and  Desi>alch* 
were  separated  from  each  ether. 

'  The  commander  of  the  Despatch*  finding,  id 
the  morning*  that'  lie  had  drifted  in  a  calm* 
near  the  enemy's  ships  in  Lynnhaven*  and  (hat 
they  were  manning  their  boats*  to  attack  him. 
made  signal  to  the  Franklin^  and  the  boats  ly* 


11I8T0BY  OT  THE   VTAB. 


S3U 


ing  under  Old  Point.  The  boats  Joined  tlie 
Despatch;  and  the  enemy's  boats,  after  ex- 
changing a  few  shots,  and  a  breeze  having 
sprung  up,  gave  over  the  chase,  and  directed 
their  attention  to  the  Franlilin,  that  lay  nearly 
becalmed  up  the  bav.  The  enemy  came'  up 
with  the  Franklin,  aliout  10,  A.  M.  when  the 
firing  commenced.  During  one  hour  and  a  half, 
the  Franklin's  crew,  consisting  of  Mr.  Ham- 
uiersltfy^  master's  mate,  who  commanded ;  one 
midshipman,  (Mr.  Cook;)  two  master's  mates 
and  pilots,  and  31  men,  maintained  a  gallant  de- 
fence agiiinst  a  tender  and  14  barges  and  bonts 
of  the  enemy.  The  tender  and  two  heavy 
launches,  made  several  attempts  to  board,  but 
were  as  often  beaten  off.  At  length,  at  half 
past  11,  the  Franklin  was  carried,  being  board- 
ed at  the  same  moment  by  the  crews  of  b  heavy 
boats.  ■''■■J  ?ft»JUii*    5 

The  peace  in  Europe  having  relieved  the 
ships  and  seamen  of  England  from  any  other 
engagement,  exdept  the  war  against  the  UiHted 
States,  it  was  supposed, ^  that  an  Ameriean  ship 
would  not  dare  longer  to  venture  on  the  oeean, 
or  sail  on  the  lakes.  £vei7  American  port  was 
to  be  blockaded,  every  sea-port  town  to  be  burn- 
ed or  destroyed  ;  the  frames  of  frigates  were  to 
be  transported  from  England,  and  suddenly  put 
together,  and  launched  on  the  lakes.  The  vio- 
lent threats  M^ere  heard,  the  expected  legions 
looked  for,  with  a  coolness,  on  the  part  of  the 
Americans,  which  evinced  courage ;  but  with  a 
preparation  that  evinced  a  determination  toi  de- 
fend their  homes,  their  families,  their  eountry» 
aqd  liberty. 

Two  armed  launches  and  four  barges  of  the 
ememy  carrying  about  230  men>  entered  Connec- 


"■/  J 


tl 


I  ( 

1  1 


4M 


BUTCKEX  <»  TBDB  WAB» 


\ 


<iout  tiyw,  in  tHe  evening  of  t}ie  rth  AprU,  and 
arrivei'nt  PMti|Ni«|f-P<niit>  about  4  o*eIeek  in  the 
moniing  of  the  stb.  It  wfif^  quite  a  snvpHae  on 
tl^few  inhabitants!  who  had  no  means  of  resist, 
anee.  Thfifr  immedialely  ^landed  and  bufoedall 
the  vessels  at  the  wharv«i»  and  on  the  stooks, 
except  a  brig,  a  schooner,  and  two  sloops^,  which 
tliey  carried  down  the  river,  on  theur  retiring, 
after  10  o'eloek;  but  the  wind  shifting,  they 
burned  aU  except  the .  schooner,  and  not  lieing 
,  able  to  proceed,  they  came  to  anchor  a  short 
Mdistance  below  Fettipaug,  where  they  lay  unHl 
night,  then  burned  the  sclioenM^  and  departed, 
without  intermption,  or  an^  attempt  to  annoy 
them,  except  that  a  few  guns  were  fired  on  them 
after  they  had  passed  the  month  of  tlie  river,  |  to 
4irhich  they  returned  three  cheers,  and  passed  off. 

Daring  the  sUr,  the  militia  collected  to  the 
number  of  about  1000,  with  six  field  pieces ;  an 
ofllcer,  with  160  sailors  and  soldiers,  from  New- 
lioiidon,  had  also  arHved*  Gen.  Wi^ams,  under 
anihority  of  the  fitate  of  Connecticut,  assumed 
the  command.  Nothing  seemed  more  easy  than 
to  oaptvre  the  enemy,  yet  no  attempt  was  made 
40  do  so,  unless  a  summcns  to  surcendei'  can  be 
so  considered.  Mudi>censure  was  then  attribu- 
ted to  the  general  for  his  dilatory  conduct,  and 
it  seems -not  to  have  been  hitherto  aoeountcd  for. 
About  26  vessels  were  destn^ed,.  many  of  them 
lam  and  valuable. 

Com.  Hardy,  of  the  Ramilies  74,  addressed  a 
letter  in  May,  to  the  British  agent  for  prisoners 
(HT  wnr  in  Boston,  stating  that  ^' had  arrived  in 
the  hay,  with  an  adeqnate  force  to  carry  the 
blockade  into  eiTcet,  and  requesting  him  to  malte 
it  known  to  the  neutral  consuls  and  agents  in 
that  town  and  s  tate^  that  the  blockade  l(rould  bs 


(,  , 


:■-:■:.  J 


'  f    . 


HI8T0BY  0¥  TAB  ^VAB. 


241 


rifi^rously  enforced^  ogreeabl^  to  the  proolama- 
tion  for  tbe  same. 

Tbe  following  copy  of  a  letter  from  Commo- 
dore Lewis,  commanding  the  United  States*  tlo- 
tilla  at  New-Yorkj  to  the  secretary  of  the  n^yy» 
dated  May  29, 1814,  will  show  that  the  Yankees 
determined  to  have  some  trade,  notwithstanding 
the  mighty  force  of  the  enemy  on  the  ocean. 

«  Sir-^I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  on  the 
]9th  I  discovered  the  enemy  in  pursuit  of  a  brig  un- 
der American  colours,  standing  for  Sandy-Hook.— I 
ordered  a  detachment  of  11  gun-boats  to  proceed  to.*. 
sea,  and  pass  between  the  chase  and  the  enemy,  by^, 
which  means  to  bring  him  to  action,  and  give  oppor- 
tunity to  the  chase  to  escape,  all  which  was  eifected ; 
the  eiiemy,  after  receiving  my  'fire,  bore  away— and 
the  brig  in  question  entered  the  harbour,  proved  to  be 
the  brig  Regent  from  France,  with  a  very  valuable 
cargo.  An.d  on  Monday  the  23d,  I  engaged  the  ene- 
my before  -New-London,  and  opened  a  passage  for 
40  sail  of  coasting  vessels ;  the  action  lasted  three 
hours,  in  which  the  flotilla  suffered  very  little ;  Ko«" 
6  received  a  shot  under  water,  and  others  through 
the  sails— we  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  enemy 
suffered  very  grekt  injury,  as  he  appeared  unwilling 
to  renew  the  action  the  following  morning;  my  ol^ 
ject  was  accomplished,  which  was  to  force  a  passage 
for  the  convoy.  There  are  before  New-London  3 
seventy-four's,  4  frigates,  and  several,  small  vessels, 
the  latter  doing  great  injury,  from  their  disguised 
character  and  superior  sailing.  I  have  the  honour  to  ' 
assure  you  of  my  high  respec;tv  -..^ 

h  LEWIS. '^. 

As  soon  as  the  engagement  ceased,  the  flotilla 
caine  to  anchor  before  the  harbour  of  New-Lon- 
don, within  gun-shotnf  the  enemy>  with  a  view 
of  renewing  the  action  in  the  morning*  when  we 
foQDd  that  the  enemy  had  collected  all  his  forcey 

t  ^  ■  -^^ 


f  f  J:  I'f 


T 


^m 


I' I 


'    '  '  .if 


■i'jin 


.242 


HISTORY  OV  THE  WAB. 


I 


in  Humber  seven  ships  and .  several  small  vessels, 
in  consequence  of  which  great  aeoession  of  force, 
the  project  of  renewing  the  action  was  abandon- 
«d»  and  signal  was  made  to  proceed  up  Sound, 
whither  the  enemy  pursued  as  far  as  Faulkner's 
Island. 

Capt.  Sawyer,  of  the  smack  Resolution,  from 
Stonington,  informed,  that,  in  .the  gun-boat  bat- 
tle, one  shot  passed  throu^  the  mainsail  of  the 
Sylph,  and  another  cut  away  her  ensign ;  that 
one  shot  passed  through  the  bow  of  the  Maid- 
stone, one  through  her  foremast,  4ind  one  into 
her  hull ;  and  that  4>n  the  day  after  the  engage- 
ment, a  number  of  men  from  these  vessels  were 
buried  on  Fisher's  Island.  . 

A  British  squadron,  consisting  of  a  74  gun 
ship,  several  frigates,  and  smaller  vessels,  with 
numerous  launches,  spread  terror  along  the 
coast  of  Massachusetts,  and  succeeded  in  doiog 
considerable  injury  to  coasting  vessels.  About 
200  men  landed,  on  the  13th  May,  at  Wareham, 
in  Massachusetts,  and  burned  12  or  13  vessels, 
-valued  at  about  20,000  dollars.  They  also  set 
fire  to  a  stocking  factory,  which  was  extinguish* 
ed  by  the  eitizens,  before  much  injury  was  done. 

Capt.  Allen,  of  the  schooner  'William  &  John, 
of  Sedgwiek,  Maine,  was  bound  to  Boston  with 
a  cargo  of  lumber.  Capt.  A.  put  into  Dyers- 
creek,  on  the  20th  May,  but  finding  himself 
chased  by  the  barge  of  the  British  schooner 
Bream,  he  hailed  the  barge,  when  she  reached 
within  about  SO  yards,  but  received  no  answer, 
Capt.  Allen  then  ordered  the  barge  to  «  keep 
off.**  The  captain,  discovering  the  men  in  the 
barge  about  to  fire  a  swivel  in  her  bow,  ordered 
hw  men  to  fire,  and  take  good  aim*  Four  shots 
^cre  fired  in  succession,  and  the  captain  had  ta- 


BlflXe'iT  OF  THE  YfAtU; 


24rS* 


ken  his  aim,  \vhen  one  of  the  enemy  cried  out, 
»<  ni  give  up  to  you  ;*'  and-  tbe  barge  vas  in- 
stantly surrendered  to  Ca|)t.  Allen.  Of  seven, 
men,  who  were  in  the  barge,  two  were  killed^, 
and  .wo  wonnded. 

After  the  capture  of  the  barge,  the  British^ 
commodoi*e  sent  a  flag  of  truce  to  Capt.  Allen, 
with  propositions,  which  were  rejected.  After,, 
however,  the  exchange  of  four  flags,  it  was  a- 
greed,  that  in  consideration  of  Capt.  Allen's  giv- 
ing up  the  British  prisoners  on  parole,  the  com- 
oiander  of  the  Bream  was  tQ.  give  Capt.  Alleu^ 
S90  in  eash,  return  two  American  prisoners  be- 
longing to  Goldsborough,  give  up  a  Chebacco^ 
boat,  with  the  property  on  board  of  her,  valued 
ut  $700,  and  Capt.  Allen  to  retain .  the  twelve 
oared  barge,  v'th  all  her  armament,  consisting - 
of  one  swivel;  ^  ;ti>usket8,flve  cutlasses,  six  car- 
tridge-boxes, .  >??'  hint  tightSi  a  compass,  one 
trumpet,  and  a  quantity  of  canister  and  grape 
shot,  all  of  which  Capt.  Allen  values  at  ISSOO. 

Soon  after  this  transaction,  a  boat  captured' 
by  the  Bt'eam  schooner,  was  sent  into  Mount- 
Desert,  with  seven  Englishmen  on  board,  to  cut' 
out  a  vessel,  the  crew  of  which,  on  their  ap- 
proach, fled  to  the  shore,  and  were  joined  by  sev- 
eral of  the  inhabitants,  armed — having  conceal- 
ed themselves  among  the  rocks  or  bushes,  they, 
opened  a  fire  on  the  enemy, killed  three  of  them,, 
wounded  two,  and  compeUcd  the  others  to  sur- 
render. 

The  enemy  entered  the  harbour  of  Scituattf 
(Mass.)  in  June,  in  consequence,  as  he  stated,  of 
having  been  fired  at  from  a  signal  piece  of  can- 
non, near  the  ligUti-house^.and  set  fire  to  several; 


1  / 


1-1 


S44 


HISTOBT  OF  TBE   WAR. 


Two  barges,  from  the  British  frigate  Nymph, 
went  into  Squam,  and  destroyed  the  schooner 
JDiligchce,  laden  with  lime.  The  crews  threat- 
ened, that  if  the  captain  attempted  to  extinguish 
the  flames  of  the  Dilig?nce»  they  would  destroy 
the  house  on  the  point ;  which  being  attempted, 
they  fired  a  twelve  pound  shot  through  it,  and 
returned  and  effected  the  destruction  of  the 
sehooner. 

On  the  llth  July,  Gastport  was  taken  posses- 
sion of  by  the  enemy,  in  the  name  of  his  Britan- 
nic majesty,  and,  as  afterward  appeared,  was 
claimed  as  being  part  of  the  British  territory, 
by  the  terms  of  <he  treaty  of  1783.  The  British 
force  consisted  of  2000  men.  The  American 
garrison  of  59  men,  including  11  siok,  was  ccim- 
manded  by  Major  Putnam.  The  inhabitants 
were  offered  the  alternative  to  take  an  oath  of 
allegiance  to  the  king,  or  to  depart  within  seven 
days.  A  i;reat  proportion,  perhaps  more  than 
two-thirds,  took  the  oath.  This  place  remained 
in  the  enemy's  possession  to  the  end  of  the  war; 
and,  as  will  appear  by  reference  to  the  treaty  cf 
peace,  was  to  continue  in  possession  of  the  liri- 
tish  until  the  dispute  relative  to  territory  could 
be  settled  by  commissioners,  to  be  appointed  for 
that  purpose. 

-  Eastport  is  on  an  island,  called  Moose,  on  the 
west  side  of  Passamaquoddy-bay ;  the  island  is 
about  five  miles  long,  and  one  mile  broad,  con- 
taining about  1000  inhabitants. 

On  the  9th  August,  at  5  P.  M.  the  Ramilles 
74^,  Pactolus  38,  a  bomb- ship,  and  a  heavy  brig, 
arrived  off,  Slonington  ;  and  a  flag  was  sent  on 
shore,  with  a  note,  of  which  the  following  is  a 
copy : 


BISTORT  OW  THB  WAB. 


Uo 


**  To  the  Magiatratea  of  8tontng.ton, 
«  Gentlemen— •One  hour  is  allowed  you,  from  the^ 
receipt  of  this  communication,  for  the  removal  of  the- 
unoffending  inhabitants. 

THOMAS  M.  HARDY." 

Stonington  was  in  no  state  of  defence  adequate 
to  resist  the  enemy.  The  few  men  in  the  place 
hastened  to  oolleet  ammunition^  some  ran  to  the 
battery,  which  consisted  of  two  18  pounders  anif 
a  four  pounder,  with  a  slight  breast  work ;  ex- 
presses were  sent  to  New- London  and  other  pla- 
ces. At  eight  o*clock»  the  attack  was  commenc- 
ed, by  a  discharge  of  shells,  from  the  bomb-ship^ 
and  congreve  rockets  from  several  barges.  This 
fire  was  oontinued  until  midnight,  without  injur- 
ing a  single  building  or  inhabitant. 

During  the  night,  the  volunteers  and  militia  * 
had  assembled  m  considerable  numbers,  and 
>vere  disposed  of  in  the  manner  best  calculated ' 
to  resist  any  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  land.  At 
dawn  of  day,  the  enemy  began  to  throw  rockets 
from  vessels  which  had  taken  stations  on  the 
east 'side  of  the  town,  out  of  range  of  the  batte- 
ry. An  18  and  a  four  pounded  were  drawn  to  a 
point  of  land  from  which  the  enemy  could  be 
reached,  and,  in  a  few  minutes,  the  barges  were 
eompelled  to  move  off.  During  this  time,  the 
brig  worked  up  and  came  tO'  anchor  within  less 
than  half  a  mile  of  the  battery.  The  ammuni- 
ti&s  on  shore,  being  .expended,  the  few  men,  who 
were  at  the  hattery,  were  compelled  to  retire^ 
having  first  spiked  the  guns.  •   >i  .. 

For  an  hour  and  a  half,  the  enemy  continued 
to  lire  on  the  town,  without  the  least  opposition 
being  attempted  op  praotieable.  A  fresh  supply 
of  ammunition  being,  by  this  time  obtained,  the 
Yent  of  the  18  pounder  was  drillejdt  when  a  fire 


-( 


r-.  i  -■■ 


1^  viir 


J  .J> ' 


• " » 


246 


msTOBT  OF  THE  WAR. 


'Was  opened  on  the  enemy's  brig,  until  at  three 
o'clock,  she  slipped  her  cable,  ^nd  haulded  off, 
being  eyidentlj^  much  injured  Jn  her  hull  and 
spars. 

Soon  after  this  time,  a  considerable  body  of 
militia  arrived,  and  Gen.  isham  had  taken  the 
eommnnd. 

A  flag  was  sent  from  the  inhabitants  (without 
the  concurrence  of  Gen.  Isham)  to  the  British 
officer,  informing  him  that  the  «<  unoflcnding  in- 
habitants" had  been  removed,  and  wishing  to 
know,  if  he  meant  to  complete  the  destruction  of 
the  town.  The  deputation  received  from  <Capt. 
Hardy  a  written  reply,  that  the  bombardment 
should  cease,  in  ease  the  inhabitants  would  en- 
gage that  no  torpedoes  should  be  fitted  out  at  Sto- 
nlngton,  and  that  the  family  of  Mr.  Stewart,  late 
British  consul  at  New-London,  wouM  be  sent  on 
board. 

These  terms  could  not  be  complied  with 

The  proposal  rrspecting  torpedoes  was  consider- 
ed degrading,  nothing  of  the  kind  having  ever^ 
been  attempted  at  StOnington ;  the  second,  re- 
specting Mrs.  Stewart  and  children,  was  referred ' 
to  the  proper  authority. 

'  The  enemy  continued  to  negotiate,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  getting  Mrs.  Stewart  on  board,  until  a 
o'  clock  en  the  11th,  when  the  bombardment  again 
commenced,  and  was  continued  until  night.  On 
Friday  morning,  the  attack  was  commenced  and 
continued  with  great  warmth,  from  nearly  all 
the  enemy's  ships  and  launches,  until  near  noon, 
when  it  eeased  ^  and,  about  four  o'clock,  P.  M. 
the  enemy,  finding  that  a  great  force  were  as- 
sembled, for  the  protection  of  the  town,  finally 
withdrew ;  and,  on  Saturday  morning,  weighed 
9tiehor^  and  [iroceedt^  up  Fisher's  Soimd.. 


HISTORT   OF  THE  WAR. 


24>7 


During  the  several  attacks,  not  a  man  was 
killed,  and  but  6  or  6  wounded.  Two  or  three 
houses  were  destroyed,  8  or  10  much  damaged^ 
and  about  40  partially  injured.  ,  More  than  300 
shells  anil  carcasses  were  thrown  into  the  vil* 
lage.  •       * 

The  additional  disposable  military  and  naval 
force,  which  the  peace  in  Europe  left  at  the 
command  of  the  enemy,  the  use  which  he  threat* 
cned  to  make,  and  did  ^  ii  '  commence,  or 
prepare  to  make  of  it,  pi  ocldce:  in  union  of  ac- 
tion and  sentiment  among  the  people  of  Ameri- 
ca, some  discontented  or  rather  traitorous  per- 
sons excepted,  and  these  so  comparatively  few» 
(hat  they  excited  but  a  sentiment  of  contempt, 
and  owed  their  personal  safety  to  their  utter  ina- 
bility to  do  material  injury.  The  citizens  of 
New- York,  the  first  commercial  city  in  the  union* 
gave  an  example  of  political  forbearance  toward 
each  other,  and  of  attachment  to  their  country^ 
whieii  had  a  salutary  influence  on  every  other 
part  of  the  nation. 

At  a  general  meeting  held  in  the  Park  in  that 
city,  the  10th  August,  1814,  the  following,  to^ 
gether  with  several  other  patriotic  resolutions, 
were  uminimously  adopted : 

«  Resolved,  that  the  citizens,  here  assembled,  will| 
to  the  last  extremit3r,  defend  their  city. 

'<  Resolved^  that  we  will  unite  ourselves  in  arms 
with  our  brethren  of  the  country,  and,  on  the  first 
approach  of  the  enemy,  make  it  a  common  cause* 

«<  Reaobvedy  thdX  it  be  recommended  to  the  citizens 
generally,  to  meet  as  soon  as  may  be  practicable 
with  convenience,  in  their  respective  vrards  for  the 
purposes  of  electing  discreet  and  sufficient  commit* 
tees  to  promote   the  execution  of  the  following  obr- 


mi 


\f\ 


248 


UISTOBT   OF  TH£   VAR. 


\'- 


h 


M 


«  ].  To  conoplete  the  voluntary  enrolmeot  of  per. 
sonB,  exempted  by  law  from  military  service. 

«  a.  To  encourage  the  enrolment  of  sea-&ring  cit- 
izens, for  services,  in  the  harbour,  or  as  artillerists. 

«  3.  The  enrolment  of  citizens  for  voluntary  la- 
1bour  on  the  public  works. 

«  Reaoivedt  that  we  will  endeavour  to  promote 
concord  and  harmony,  and  will  discountenance  all 
attempts  to  weaken  the  patriotic  efforts  of  good  citi- 


zens. 


\ 


T.  W»  I 


From  this  momant,  party  feuds  were,  in  a 
great  measure,    suspetfdedi  newspaper  editors 
excluded  all  acrimonious  political  discussions; 
the  committee  appointed  to  caiTy  into   effect  the 
resolutions  of  the  general  meeting,  was  selected 
from  the  most  respectable  of  the  citizens,  with- 
out the  lea«t  respect  to  the  political  party  to 
which  the  persons  selected,  belonged. 
f  I  The  plan  of  the  enemy  was   to  dismember  the 
union.    A  command  of  the  North  River  would 
tend   much  to  this  end.    The  possession  of  the 
city  of  New- York  was  a  desirable^  object,  in 
whatever  point  it  might  be  viewed.     The  mea- 
surjes  of  defence  and  precaution,  taken  at  New- 
Yoi'k,  probably  prevented  the  intended  attack  on 
that  city;  the   subsequent  attempt  to  gain  pos- 
session of  the  posts  near  Lake  Champlain,  leaves 
little  room  to  doubt  the  enemy's  intention.    Had 
that  invasion  succeeded,  we  should '  have  soon 
heard  of  an  invasion  on  the  sea-board,  either  at 
New- York,  or  some  place  to  the  eastward  of  it. 
Mid  an  attempt  to  form  a  junction  of  the  two  in- 
vading armies. 

For  several  months,  the  eitizeos  of  New- York 
supplied  more  than  1000  men  daily,  who  laboured 
voluntarily  and  without  pay,  at  the  fortifications ;.; 
aad  jeveral  thousands  from  the  adjaoenli.  eom% 


soussions; 


HISTORY  OF  TBS  WAB. 


219 


ries>  and  from  the  state  of  New- Jersev,  contri- 
buted their  aid,  until  a  line  of  fortifioations  were 
raised  on  the  heights  of  firoolclyn  and  Harlsem^ 
saflicient  to  oppose  any  probable  force  that  could 
be  employed  by  the  enemy. — It  would  be  impos- 
sible to  do  justice  to  the  zeal  that  animated  the 
ci(izenS)  and  it  cannot  be  expected  to  cOpy»  op 
even  notice  the  many  editorial  observations  which- 
appeared  in  the  public  prints;  zeal  overflowed» 
so  that  it  beoame  necessary  to  limit  the  oifbred 
services  to  a  certain  number  dailyt  and  it  often 
happened,  that  services  could  not  be  received  un- 
til several  days  after  being  tendered.  The  fol- 
lowing* from  the  Richmond  Compiler;  is  given» 
because  its  shortness  does  not  actually  render  its 
insertion  incompatible  with  our  limits. 

«  To  a  patriotic  mind)  it  is  truly  exhilerating,  to 
read  the  New- York  papers,  and  see  the  generous* 
ardent  zeal  that  actuates  the  inhabitants  of  that  great 
emporium  ot  American  commerce.  At  the  first 
sigtial '  of  breaking  ground  for  the  defence  of  the 
city,  the  whole  population  seem  to  have  caught  the 
spark  of  patriotic  energy,  to  have  burst  the  shackles 
of  apathy,  and  set  to  the  continent  an  example  of  so- 
cial and  public  spirit,  which  we  trust  may  be  emulat- 
ed through  every  part  of  our  land.  By  wards  and 
sections  of  the  city,  by  tribes  and  centuriea^  hy  con- 
stituted bodies  and  private  companies,  by  trades,  by 
professions,  and  by  domestic  parties,  offers  of  person- 
al service  and  contributions  in  money,  have  been 
made  and  accepted  :  and  that  great  mart  of  commer- 
cial wealth  and  enterprize,  on  which  the  enemy  have 
so  long  kept  a  longing  eye,  is  already  inaccesMble, 
invulnerable  ;  the  pride  and  glory,  and  palladium  of 
the  continent.  Who  would  not  be  a  citizen  of  New- 
York  ?»  ,n. 

On  the  1st  September,  the  British  entered  the 
Penobscot  river,  with  about  40  sail  of  vessels# 


(-7 


Uil 


,ri 


250 


BIITORT  OV  TBK  1¥AB. 


and  several  thousand  men,  and  took  possession  of 
Castine,  the  small  garrison  of  which  fled,  arter 
blowine  up  the  fort.  They  next  sent  600  men 
to  Belfast^  which  submitted.  The  following  day 
they  proceeded  up  the  river  to  Hamden,  where 
the  Adams  frigate  lay.  Capt.  Morris  made  eve- 
ry possible  disposition  to  resist  the  enemy,  but 
finding  his  limited  force  inadequate  to  that  end, 
he  spiked  his  guns,  burned  his  stores,  blew  up 
the  ship»  and,  with  his  crew,  escaped.  The  Bri- 
tish  governor  immediately  announced,  that  the 
country,  lying  between  the  Penobscot  river  and 
Passamaquoddy  bay,  would  be  considered  as  a 
part  of  the  British  territory.  Measures  were 
aUo  taken  to  fortify  Castine,  and  establish  per- 
manent commercial  regulations.  It  was  estima. 
ted  that  120  vessels  were  taken  in  the  Penob- 
seot. 

"While  the  enemy  was  coupling  petty  conquest 
with  cowardice  and  cruelty,  along  the  sea- board, 
the  American  army  of  the  interior  was  plucking 
from  the  brows  of  imported  invincibles  the  lau* 
pels  won  on  the  theatre  of  late  European  con- 
flicts. 

The  brave  General  Jacob  Brown,  who  had  in 
the  last  year  signalized  himself  by  the  defence 
of  Sackett's  Harbour,  was  appointed  to  thp  com- 
mand of  the  army  on  the  Niagara  frontier. 
.  On  the  2d  July,  General  Brown  made  disposi- 
tions for  an  intended  attack  on  the  Bi'itish  Fort 
£rie  ;  and  issued  orders  to  the  troops  for  cross- 
ing the  river.  The  army  passed  the  Niagara 
river  on  the  morning  of  the  3d.  T!ie  enemy  was 
perfectly  unapprized  of  the  intended  attack ; 
Gen.  Scott,  who  led  the  van,  was  on  shore  be- 
fore the  enemy's  picket  discovered  the  approach. 
The  fort  being  approached  on  the  right  and  left,. 


HIITOBT  01  tOE  WAB. 


S5i 


And  the  Indiani  in  the  woddi*  in  the  rear^  Gen,  ' 
Brown  summoned  the  garriion  to  saFrender» 
which,  after  a  short  time  allowed  for  oonsidera- 
tion,  was  asreed  to.  At  six  o^elook  the  gArrl* 
son  marched  and  staol^ed  their  arms ;  170  regu- 
larsy  inoluding  seven  offieers*  were  sent  across 
the  river. 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th  July,  Oen.  Scottf 
with  his  brigade,  and  a  corps  of  artiSlery,  ad- 
vanced towara  Cliippewa.  After  some  siiirmish* 
ing  with  the  enemy,  he  selected  a  judicious  posi- 
tion for  the  night;  his  right  resting  on  the 
river,  and  a  ravine  in  front ;  at  11  at  night,  Gen. 
Brown  joined  him  with  the  reserve  under  Gen. 
Bipiey,  and  a  corps  of  artillery,  under  Mf\|or 
Hind  man — a  field  and  battering  train  were  also 
brought  up ;  Gen<  Porter  arrived  In  tbe  morning, 
with  a  part  of  the  New-York  and  Pennsylvania 
volunteers,  and  sonie  of  the  warriors  of  the  Sis 
Nations. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  5th,  the  enemy 
attacked  the  pickets ;  by  noon  he  showed  him- 
self on  the  left  of  the  army,  and  attacked  one 
of  the  pickets,  as  it  was  returning  to  carnp.-^ 
Captain  Treat,  who  commanded  the  picket,  re- 
tired, leaving  a  wounded  man  on  the  g^nnd.-- - 
Captain  Biddle,  of  tlie  artillery,  promptly  as- 
sumed the  command  of  this  picket,  led  it  back 
to  the  wonftded  man,  and  brought  him  off  the 
field. 

General  Brown  instantly  ordered  Capt.  Trieat 
to  retire  from  the  army,  and  advised,  that  his 
name,  and  that  of  another  officer,  should  be 
struck  from  the  roll  of  the  army.  This  circum- 
stance was  noticed  in  a  note  to  the  first  edition 
of  this  work,  without  the  following  necessary 
fiddition,  which  did  not,  and  could  not,  have  then 
«ome  to  the  knowledge  of  the  compiler. 


*f**i 


><i  ,<,  I 


A'-ii 


^r- 


25d 


lUflTORT   OV  THE   WAI^. 


Ompt.  Treat  demanded  a  court  of  inquiry ;  it 
Wat  not  eranted ;  but  a  Court  Martial  was  or. 
dered  at  Fort  Erie.  The  left  division  of  the  ai>. 
my  marolied  to  Qackett's  Harbour  soon  after,  and 
the  eourt  wat  ditiolved. 

Capt.  Treat  immediately  proceeded  to  Sack- 
ett's  Harbour,  by  permission  from  Maj.  Gen. 
Izard,  and  requested  another  Court  Martial. 
Mi\j.  Gen.  Brown,  on  the  fitb  of  April,- 1815, 
aftor  the  repeated  solicitations  of  Capt.  Treat, 
issued  an  order,  organizing  a  court,  consisting  of 
Col.  M*Feely,  president;  Lieut.  Col.  Smith, 
Maj.  Croker,  Maj.  Boyle,  Maj.  Mullany,  Maj. 
Chane,  Capt.  White,  members ;  Capt.  Seymour, 
•upernumerary ;  Lieut.  Anderson^  13th  rb^. 
nient,  judge  jidvooate. 

^The  court  met,  and  proceeded  on  the  (rial  the 
6th  April,  1815,  at  Sackett's  Harbour.  They 
closed  the  investigation  on  the  8th  May,  when 
Capt.  Treat  was  honourably  acquitted. 

The  following  is  a  oopy  of  the  decision  of  the 
court : 

<<  After  mature  deliberation  on  the  testimony 
adduced,  the  eourt  do  find  the  accused  JOSEPH 
TREAT,  of  the  21st  infantry,  not  guilty  of  the 
oharge  or  specifications  preferred  against  him, 
and  do  honourably  acquit  him." 

The  sentence  of  the  court  was  approved  by 
Maj.  Gen.  Brown,  and  promulgated  on  the  28(ii 
June,  at  Sackett's  Harbour. 

At  4*  o*eloek  in  the  afternoon  Gen.  Porter 
advanced  with  the  volunteers  and  Indians,  in 
order  to  induce  the  enemy  to  come  forth.— 
Qen.  Porter's  command  met  the  light  parties  of 
the  enemy  in  the  woods.  The  enemy  was  driven, 
and  Porter  pursued  until  near  Chippewa,  whrrc 
he  met  their  whole  column,  in  order  of  battle. 


■"  .J  ■  •#.<    ^  ■ 


quiry;  it 
1  was  or- 
of  the  fti'- 
ii\eVf  and 

to  Sack- 
Maj.  Gen. 

Martial, 
prilr  1815, 
ipt.  Treat, 
nsistin^  of 
d1.  Smith, 
lany,  Maj. 
,  Seymour, 
13th  rbgi- 


3en.  Porter 
Indians,  in 
ne  forth.— 
ut  parties  of 
was  driven, 
iewa»  where 
2V  of  battle. 


HISTORY  or  THE  WAS. 


255 


The  heavy  Aring  induced  a  belief  ^hat  the  en- 
tire foroe  of  the  enemy  was  In  motion,  and  pre- 
pared for  aution.  Gen.  Soott  was  oixlerea  to 
advance  with  his  brieadey  and  Towson's  artil-  . 
lerv.  The  general  advanced  in  the  most  prompt 
and  offleer-like  manner?  and^  in  a  few  mmutnti^  \ 
was  in  close  action  with  a  superior-force  of  the 
enemy.  By  this  time.  Gen.  Porter's  command 
had  ^iven  way,  and  fled  in  disorder,  notwith-  ' 
standing,  the  great  exertions  of  the  general  to 
rally  them.  This  retreat  left  the  left  flank  of 
Gen.  Seott's  brigade  greatly  exposed.  Captain 
Harris  was  directed,  with  his  dragoons,  to  stop 
the  fugitives,  behind  the  ravine^  fronting  the 
American  camp.  Gen.  Ripley,  with  the  2tst 
regimenty  which  formed  part  of  the  resorve» 
passed  to  the  left  of  the  camp,  under  cover  of 
the  woody  to  relieve  Gen.  Soott,  by  falling  on 
the  enemy's  right  flank,  but,  before  the  21st 
could  come  into  its  position,  the  line  command- 
ed by  Gen.  Scott,  olosed  with  the  enemy.  Maj. 
Jessup,  commanding  the  left  flank  battalion^ 
finding  himself  pressed  in  front  and  flank,  and 
his  men  falling  fast  around  him,  ordered  his 
battalion  to  «  aujrport  arms,  and  advance  ,*"  the 
order  was  promptly  obeyed,  amidst  ihe  most 
deadly  and  destructive  fire.  Having  gained  a 
better  position,  he  poured  on  the  enemy  a  fire 
80  galling*  as  caused  them  to  retire.  The  en- 
emy's entire  line  now  fell  back,  and  continued  to 
retreat,  until  at  the  sloping  ground,  descending 
toward  Chippewa,  when  they  broke,  and  fled  to 
their  works.   "  ^'i'^:_^^\m-^:>-'-;  ^^^^'-^^  rj^.'unr-> 

Gen.  Brown,  finding  the  pursuit  of  the  troops 
checked  by  the  batteries  of  the  enemy,  ordered 
up  his  ordnance,  in  order  to  force  the  place, 
hj  a  direct  attack,  but  was  induced,  by  the  re- 

w 


•  1    'i:^ 


,':■•% 


n 


.<  i 


I 


mj' 


25^ 


HisTOBir  aif  the  miam* 


port  of  Maj.  IVood,  and  Capt  Austin^  who  u. 
^eonnoitered  the  enemfr's  works,  the  lateness  of 
the  hour,  and  the  advice  of  his  officers,  to  order 
the  forces  to  retire  to  camp.  The  American 
troops,  on  no  occasion,  behaved  with  more  gal- 
lantry  than  on  the  present.  The  British  regu- 
lars suffered  defeat  from  a  number  of  men,  prin- 
cipally volunteers  and  militia,  inferior  in  every 
thitt^  but  courage,  to  the  vanquished  enemy; 
and  the  gallant  Brown,  a  woodsman,  <•  a  soldier 
ot  yesterday,"  put  at  defiance  the  military  tac- 
tics of  the  experienced  Maj.  Gen.  Riall. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  letter,  written  by 
Gen.  Brown,  on  t\k^  field  of  battle,  directed  to 
the  secretary  of  war.  \ 

«  Sir— Excuse  my  silence.    I  have  been  much 
engaged.    Fort  Erie  did  not)  as  I  assured  you  it 
should  not,  detain  me  a  single  day.    At  1 1  o'clock, 
on  the  night  of  the  4th,  I  arrived  at  this  place  with 
the  reserve,  General  Scott  having  taken  the  position 
about  noon,  with  the  van.    My  arrangements  for 
turning  and  taking  in  the  rear  the  enemy's  position 
cast  of  Chippewa,  was  made,  when  Major  General 
Riall,  suspecting  our  intention,  and  adhering  to  the 
rule,  that  it  is  better  to  give  than  to  receive  an  at- 
tack, came  from  behind  his  works  about  5  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  of  the  5th,  in  order  of  battle.    We 
did  not  baulk  him.    Before  6  o'clock  his  line  was 
broken,  and  his  forces  defeated,  leaving  on  the  field 
four  hundred  killed  and  wounded.    He  was  closely 
pressed,  and  would  have  been  utterly  ruined,  but  for 
the  proximity  of  his  works,  whither  he  fled  fur  shelter. 
The  wounded  of  the  enemy«  and  those  of  our  own 
army  must  be  attended  to.    They  will  be  removed 
to  Buffalo.    This,  with  my  Umiled  mieans  for  trans- 
portation, will  take  a  day  or  two,  after  which  I  shall 
advance,  not  doubting  but  that  the  gallant  and  ac- 
complished troops  I  lead,  will  break  down  all  oppo* 


BlfTOBT   OF  THB  WAB. 


-.1 


^BB 


sition 


between  me  and  Lake  Ontario>  wheii^  if  met 
by  the  fleet)  all  is  well — ^if  not,  under  the  favour  of 
heaven,  -we  shall  behave  in  a  way  to  avoid  disgrace.** 

The  battle^of  Bridgwater^  fought  on  the  26tli 
Juij»  was  bloody,  and  well  contested  on' both 
sides.  Tlie  enemy  was  composed  of  5000  men» 
of  the  best  troops,  commanded  by  Gen.  Riall» 
and  others,  the  best  British  officers.  It  is  duo 
to  them  to  record,  that  they  fought  well,  but 
they  fought  against  freemen,  and.  were  defeated. 
Opposed  to  the  bravest  slaves  in  the  ^irorld,  of 
equal  force,  this  British  army  would  have  con- 
quered. The  Americans  were  fewer  in  number 
than  the  enemy ;  they  were  men,  most  of  whom 
had  yet  to  learn  military  tactics,  but  who  had  a 
cmmtrtff  now  staked  in  a  contest,  which  the  pre« 
sent  battle  might  materially  effect,  or,  in  its  con- 
sequeace>  decide.  '  "  " 

On  the  25th,  Gen.  Brown's  army  was  encamp' 
ed  above  Chippewa,  near  the  battle  ground  of 
the  5th.  Tim  brigado  wrier  Gen.^  Scott^  moor- 
ed past  Chippewa,  and  halted  at  Bridgwater* 
in  view  of  Niagara  falls.  At  half  past  4,  P.  M. 
the  battle  was  commenced  by  the  enemy.  The 
enemy,  being  numerically  superior  to  the  Ame* 
ricans,  he  was  able  to  extend  his  line  so  as  to 
attempt  to  flank.  In  order  to  counteract  the 
apparent  view  of  Gen.  Riall,  he  ytm  fought  in 
machmenis — he  was  elmrged  m  eolumih  Gen. 
Scott  being  at  the  head  of  his  troops  hi  almost 
«very  charge.  General  Scott  maintained  hia 
ground  for  more  than  an  hour»  before  the  re- 
serve under  Gen.  Ripley,  and  the  volnntcers^ 
under  Gen.  Porter,  were  brought  fully  into  ac- 
tion. The  ground  was  obstinately  contesteit 
until  9  o^clook  in  the  evening,  when  Gen.  Brown 
decided  toi  Jtorin  a  battery^  which  the  enem^r 


-■I 


...  )l- 


'iiiT 


i 


(. 


^se 


BISTOST  OT  THE  VAB.   , 


liad  on  a  commaiidiDg  eminence.  Col.  Miller 
eommanded  on  this  enterprize^  which  iras  so  re- 
solutely entered  on,  that  the  enemy,  unable  to 
withstand  the  charge^  retired  to  the  bottom  of 
the  bill,  and  abandoned  his  cannon.  The  enemy 
liow  gave  way,  and  was  pursued  some  distance. 
The  American  army  then  betook  itself  to  the 
securing  of  prisoners^  and  bringing  off  the 
wounded. 

•  'While  the  army  was  thus  employedy  General 
Brummond  arrived  with  a  reinforeement  (o  the 
enemy,  when  he,  unexpectedly  to  the  Ameri. 
cans,  renewed  the  battle,  with  a  view  to  recov- 
er his  cannon.  The  army,  haying  quickly 
formed,  resisted  the  attack  with  courage;  ai^, 
after  a  close  engagement,  the  en#my  was  re- 
pulsed, as  he  was  in  two  other  similar  attempts. 
The  American  army  bavins  effected  the  remo- 
val of  nearly  all  the  wounded,  retired  from  the 
ground  a  little  before  midnight,  and  returned  to 
tamp.  , 

The  warmth  and  zeal  with  which  this  action 
was  maintained,  was  the  most  obstinate  and  de- 
termined. For  two  hours,  the  discharge  of 
musketry  was  so  constant,  as  to  produce  almost 
s^n  uninterrupted  blaze  of  lire ;  nor  was  it  in  any 
period  of  this  action,  much  less  warm.  Wel- 
lington's "  invicibles"  had  just  arrived  from 
Europe,  and  Drummond  resolved  that  they 
should  not  only  maintain  their  character,  but 
maintain  it  in  a  manner  that  would  make  the 
most  desponding  impression  on  the  brave,  but 
raw  recruits  of  the  republic.  The  Americans 
not  only  withstood  the  onset,  but  repelled  and 
punished  it.  A  fine  moon-light  night  favoured 
equally  the  operations  of  both  armies ;  they 
fought  too  near  to  render  cannon  generally  ser- 


msnOKT  Of  THK  WAR» 


ssr 


vfceabfe,  beioe.  often  Mrilhin  half  pistol  shot  of 
each  other,  and  sometimes  mingled  together.— > 
The  charge  of  Col.  Miller  exceeded  any  thing^ 
ex()erienccd  by  the  British  soldiers,  even  in  £u- 
vope.  Thriee  his  men  were  repulsed  ¥rith<ffreat 
slaughter.  For  a  time  he  was  deserted  by  a 
regiment  of  infantry;  they  were  rallied;  a 
fourth  charge  wa»  made,  andl  succeeded.  The 
Americans  could  not  be  driven,  nor  withstood; 
determined  nut  to  be  overthrown,  even  by  supe- 
rior numbers,,  they  seemed  resolved  to  crush 
whatever  foe  opposed  them.  Had  they  been 
eonquered,  they  would  yet  deserve  honour;  as' 
victors,  they  eovored  themselves  with  glory.-— ^ 
They  lost  a  howitzer;  the  rider  bein^  shot  off^ 
the  horses  carried  it  full  gallop  into  the  ranks 
of  the  enemy;  they  also  lost  ft  piece  ofcannon^ 
which  was  too  much  advanced,  and  from  which> 
the  men,  except  two,  were  shot.  For  want  of 
horses,  they  were  compiled  to  leave  to  the  en- 
emy most  of  the  oannon  which  were  taken  froni' 
him,  with  such  bravery,  and  at  suoh  expence. 

On  the  morning  after  the  battle,  the  Am^i^'" 
cans,  under  Generals  Ripley  and  Porter,  recon- 
Boitered  the  enemy,  who  did  not  show  any  dis- 
position to  renew  the  contest,  and  then^  burned 
the  enemy's  barracks  and  a  bridge  at  Chijppew& 
after  which  they  returned  to  Fort  Erie. 

The  enemy  was  believed  to  have  lost  betweeik 
1200  and  1300  men,  including  Majw  Gen.  Biall,. 
who  was  wounded,  and,  with  18  other  offiieers,. 
and  150  noni-oom  missioned  officers  and  privates^ 
taken  prisoners.  The  Americans  lost  i  majors 
1  adjutant,  5  captains,  4  subalterns,  10  sergeants^ 
to  corporals,  140  privates-— total  killed,  171.— 
i  major-general,  1  brigadier-general,  2  aids-de- 
aamp^l  brigade-mi^or,  1  colonel^  1  lieutenant- 


w  5 


m 


i  ",-.•(> 


I  '■ 


I 


5B58 


BIBTOBT  OF  THE  VfAU* 


odlonety  4  majorsy  1  adjutant,  3  quarter-mastersy 
1  pay-maBter,  7  captaioBt  32  subalterns,  517  n6n- 
cominisBiooed  officers  and  pr]vates~total  wound- 
cd,.^2 ;  rnissia^  117 — total,  860. 

T&e  British  foi«B  engaged,  amounted  by  their 
own  confession,  to  4fi00  men,  mostly  or  Mrholly 
regntars,  beside  a  host  of  Indians  \  the  American 
force  did  hot  exceed  2800  men,  consisting  in  a 
great  proportion  of  the  militia  of  Pennsylvania 
and  New-York.  Gen;  Brown,  in  his  ofileial  re- 
]M>rt,  particularly  notices  the  brave  and  prudent 
conduet  of  Generals  Bipley,  Porter,  and  Scott; 
Colonels  Miller,  Dobbin,  of  New-Tori^,  AVilcox, 
aiid  Gardener;  Majors  M<Farland,  Hindman, 
JesBup,  Wood,  of  the  Pennsylvania  militia,  Jon^s, 
M<Ree,  and  Wood^  of  the  engineers ;  Captains 
Towson^,  Ketehum,  Biddle,  and  Bitehie ;  Lieut. 
£.  B.  Randolph  \  Aidsde-Camp  Worth,  Smith, 
Austin,  and  Spencer.  Some  of  these  brave  men 
fell  in  aetion,  and  nearly  all  of  them  were  cover* 
•d  with  wounds.  • . 

Geii.  Brown  received  two  wounds,  but  oontin- 
lied  to  command  until  the  action  elided.  The 
general  was  obliged,  by  the  severity  of  his 
wounds,  to  retire  trom  the  command,  which  de- 
Tolved  on  Gen.  Bipley,  Gen.  Scott  being  also 
disabled,  by  wound,  firom  continuing  in  com*. 
nand. 

The  army  continued  on  the  Canada  side,  seem- 
ingly resolved  to  maintain  itself  against  an  ene- 
my, which  was  receiving  frequent  reinforecn^ents, 
mad*  hady  after  a  little  time,  become  formidable^ 
io  numbers  and  equipments. 

The  enemy*. after  recovering  the  effects  of  the 
battle  of  Bridgwater,  moved  up  toNvard  the 
Ameriean  ampy,  at  Fort  £i*ie>;  and  frequent 
^lurmishes  ensued,  in  which  the  enei  y  was.geil? 


.      •».■ 


.::.^^.'-'A   .'j.* 


llfHHWHT 


.*■  ' 


HItTOBT  OT  THE  WAR. 


St99 


erallv  worsted.  On  the  sd  August,  about  500 
i*eguiais>  under  Col.  Tucker,  crossed  below 
Blaek  Roek.  but  >iMre  met  by  200  riflemeny  and 
a  party  of  volunteers,  under  Major  Moreanfand> 
af(  4*  a  long  oontest,  were  defeated,  and  compel- 
led to  re-cross  the  river.  Brigadier  General 
Gaines,  arrived  at  Erie  the  4th  August,  aftd  as- 
sumed the  commaitdy  during  General  Brown's 
illness. 

On  the  15th  August,  the  enemy,  under  the  im- 
mediate command  of  General  Drummond,  at- 
tempted to  storm  Fort  Erie;  the  result  was 
communicated  in  a  letter  from  General  Gaines, 
to  the  secretary  of  war,  of  which  the  following 
is  a  copy : 

«« Head-Quarters,  Fort  Erie,  U.  C.  , 
'  Aug.  15,7  A.  M.  1814. 
Dear  <S(r— My  heart  is  gladdened,  with  -grati- 
tude to  heaven,  and  joy  to  my  country,  to  have  it  in 
my  power  to  inform  you  that,  the  gallant,  army  un- 
der my  command,  has  this  morning  beaten  the  en- 
emy, commanded  by  Lieut.  Gen.  Drummond,  after  a 
severe  conflict  of  three  hours,  commencing  at  two 
o'clock,  A.  M.  They  attacked  us  on  each  flank— ^ 
got  possession  of  the  salient  bastion,  of  the  old  ^ort 
Erie,  which  was  regained  at  the  point  of  the  bayo- 
net, with  a  dreadful  slauj^hter.  The  enemy's  loss, 
in  killed  and  prisoners,  is  akout  600 ;  near  300  kil- 
led. Our  loss  is  considerable,  but  I  think  not  one- 
tenth  as  great  as  that  of  the  enemy.  I  will  not  de- 
tain the  express  to  give  you  the  particulars.  I  akii 
preparing  my  force  to  follow  up  the  blow." 

The  assault  was  of  that  desperate  nature,  that 
wa»  caleulated  to  rub  away  the  stains  of  former 
defeats,  to  resuscitate  the  sinking  charms  of  an 
assumed  invincibility,  and  save  the  British  genor 
taI  from  contempt^  and  perhaps^  disgrace*.  TJhe 


A'  ^'fi 

W 


•I  M 


'■••■f\.  ■-:-»-i' 


26a 


KUTOBT  OS  TUB   WAIL 


pojeetion  was  grand;  the  means  of  aecomplish- 
ing  \if  great,  and  relied  on  for  its  effieiency  ;  tlie 
attempt  to  execute,  was  sufQiorted  witli  an  en- 
thusiasm in  the  offieeps,  and  a  meobanioal  obedi- 
enee  in  the  men*  which  promised,  and  almost  se- 
eui'ed  success.  The  invincibles  were,  however, 
destined  to  experience  another  defeat;  and-the 
Americans  added  another  wreath  to  the  laurels 
with  which  they  were  already  so  plentifully 
blessed.  The  enemy  was  largely  sullied  with 
the  means  generally  used  on  such  occasions, 
pikes,  bayonets,  spears,  sealing  ladders,  &o.  Be- 
pulsed  and  repulsed,  be  rallied  and  returned  to 
the  attack ;  he  carried  a  bastion,  and,  by  his 
conduct,  evinced,  what  was  to  be  the  fate  of  the 
repuUicans,  if  vanquished.  Lieut.  M<Oougal, 
being  severely  woiiuded,  in  defending  the  bastion, 
demanded,  quarter,  it  was  refused.  Gen.  Drum- 
mond  crying  out,  «  give  the  damned  Yankees  no 
Auarter.'^  M'Dougal  defended  himself  until  shot 
down  by  a  pistol.  The.  bastion  was  re-taken  by 
the  greatest  display  of  eourage  and-exertion. 

This,  assault  was  preceded  by  a  cannonade  and 
bombardment,  which  commenced  at  sun^rise  on 
the  morning  of  the  13th,  and  continued  until  & 
o'clock,  P.  M. ;  yfw  re-eommenced  on  the  14tb, 
at  day-light,  and  continued  until  night— the  as- 
sault was  commenced  at  half  past  two  on  the 
morning  of  the  15th.  The  result  was  the  defeat 
of  the  assailants*  accompanied  with  a  loss  of  222 
men  killed,  174  wounded,  and  186  prisoners — to- 
tal 682^  exclusive  of  a  number  (supposed  200) 
killed  in  the  water,  and  carried  oif  by  ^be  cur- 
rent. The  Americans  lost  26  killed,  91  wound* 
cd,  and  11  missing — total  128. 

The  enemy  continued  in  the  neighbourhood  ef 
Flort   EriPjK  strengthening  and  extending  bifr 


niBTdBT  OF  THE  IVAB. 


261 


yforks  and  calling  in  reinforoementsy  wHh  a  view 
to  the  ultimate  occupation  of  the  forti  and  tht 
eapture  or  destruction  of  the  earriion.  The  en- 
emy's works  were  constructed  m  a  field  8ur|*ound- 
ed  by  woods.  Their  infantry  was  formed  into 
three  bridges  of  about  1500  men  each.  One  of 
these  brigades,  with  a  detail  fVom  their  Artillery* 
was  stationed  at  their  works  (these  being  but  fiOO 
yards  distant  ft*om  Old  Fort  Erie,  and  the  right 
of  General  Brown's  line.)  The  Americans  had 
already  sufi'ered  much  Urom  two  of  the  enemy's 
batteries ;  and  a  third  was  about  iff  he  opened. 
Gen.  Brown,  having  recovered  of  his  wounds* 
resumed  the  command,  on  the  2A  September, 
The  situation  of  the  army  was  extremely  critical. 
A9  the  only  mode  of  relieving  himself,  he  deter- 
mined to  8tor);n  the  batteries,  destroy  the  can- 
non and  roughly  handle  the  enemy's  brigade  on 
duty,  betbre  those  ia  reserve  would  be  brought 
intoaetion.  -^-  a 

The  enemy's  works  were  yery  strong,  regular* 
and  ei^ecuted  with  a  studied  intricacy,  consiaiting 
of  a  breast-work,  connecting  their  batteries,  and 
of  successive  lines  of  entrenchments  in  the  rear, 
covering  the  batteries  and  enfilading  each  other ; 
and  the  whole'  obstructed  by  abbatis,  brush,  and 
felled  timber.  It  was  calculated  to  resist,  and 
throw  into  confusion,  the  most  experienced  as- 
sailants, and  led  to  many  severe  contests  with 
the  bayonet. 

Directions  were  given,  by  General  Brown,  to 
march  at  noon,  on  the  17th  September,  to  the 
inteated  assault.  General  Porter  commanded  a 
detachment  of  volunteers,  riflemen,  regular  in- 
fantry, and  a  few  dragoons.  These  moved  from 
the  extreme  left  of  the  American  position  upon 
the  enemy's  right^  by  a  passage  opened  through 


262 


miTOIir  OV  TIIK  WAB. 


the  woods  for  the  ocoasion.  Gen.  Miller  statioo* 
ed  his  eommand  in  the  ravine  between  Fort  Erie 
and  the  enemy's  batteries^  by  passing  them  by 
detaohmeats  through  the  skirts  of  the  wood.—- 
The  21st  infantry^  under  Gen.  Bipley>  was  post- 
ed as  a  corps  of  reserve^  between  the  new  bas- 
tions of  Fort  £rie.  «  About  20  minutes  past 
3  P.  M."  says -Gen.  Brown,  in  his  oflleial  report, 
«  I  found  the  left  column,  under  the  command 
of  Gen.  Porter,  which  were  destined  to  turn  ths 
enemy^s  right,  within  a  few  rods  of  the  British 
entrenchments.  They  were  ordered  to  advance 
and  eommeoee  the  action.  Passing  down  the  ra« 
Tine,  I  judged,  from  the  report  ofmusketi^, 
that  Qie  action  had  eommeneed  on  our  left ;  I 
now  hastened  to  Gen.  Miller,  and  directed  him 
to  seize  the  moment,  and  pierce  the  enemy's  en- 
trenehments,  between  batteries  No.  2  and  &.«• 
My  orders  were  promptly  and  ably  executed.—- 
Within  SO  minutes  after  the  first  gun  was  fired, 
batteries  No.  3  and  2,  the  enemy's  line  of  en- 
tr^nehments,  and  his  two  bloek-houses,  were  io 
our  possession.  Soon  after,  battery  No.  1  wai 
abandoned  by  the  British.  The  guns  in  each 
were  spiked  by  us,  or  otherwise  destroyed,  ^ad 
Ihe  magazine  of  No  ^,  was  blown  up." 

The  enemy's  loss  exceeded,  from  the  most 
probable  aecount^  1000  men,  including  2  majors, 
*  eaptains,  4  lieutenants,  1  ensign,  one  assistant- 
surgeon,  4»  stalT-sergeants,  19  sergeants,  17  cor- 
porals, 1  drhmmer,  and  332  privates.'  The  A- 
merieans  lost  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing, 
511.  G^eral  Davis,  of  the  militia,  was  killed. 
The  action  lasted  more  than  two  hours,  and  was 
warmly  contested  for  about  one  hour.  In  tlie 
eourse  of  the  action,  the  entire  of  the  enemy^s 
foree  was  brought  into  action,  eonsisting  prinei- 


^<^.„ 


BISTOftT  Of  THB  WIB. 


265 


pally  of  regulars  wider  eomraand  of  Lieut.  Gen. 
Drummond.  So  satisfied  was  the  British  gene- 
ral of  his  inability  to  contend,  even  aided  by  his 
veteransy  against  the  raw  soldiers  thftt  formed 
the  American  army*  that  he  broke  up  his  eamp» 
during  the  night  of  the  2l8t»  and  retired  to  his 
entrenohments  behind  the  Chippewa.  <<Thu8/' 
says  General  Brown,  «  one  thousand  regulars, 
and  an  equal  portion  of  militia,  in  one  hour  of 
close  action,  blasted  the  hopes  of  the  enemy, 
destroyed  the  fruits  of  50  days  labour,  and  dimin- 
ished his  eflfeetive  force,  one  thousand  men  at 
least"  > 

An  expedition  under  the  command  of  Lieut. 
Col.  G.  Croghan,  was  set  on  foot  in  July,  1814 ; 
the  chief  object  of.  whieh,  was  the  reduction  of 
Fort  Mackinac,  which  had  been  taken  by  the  en- 
emy in  the  early  part  of  the  war.  The  expedi- 
tion left  Fort  Gatroit  (head  of  Straits  St.  Clair) 
on  the  12th.  Owing  to  a  want  of  pilots  acquaint- 
ed with  the  unfVequented  {Nirt  of  the  bay,  the  in- 
tended course  of  the  vessels  was  somewhat  alter- 
ed ;  they  anchored  at  St.  Joseph's  on  the  20th. 
After  setting  lire  to  the  fort  of  St.  Joseph,  which 
seemed  not  to  have  been  recently  occupied,  a  de- 
tachment of  infantry  and  artillery,  under  ^ajor 
Holmes,  was  ordered  to  Sault,  St.  Mary's,  for 
the  purpose  of  breaking  up  the  enemy's  esta- 
blishment at  that  place.  A  few  hours  before  the 
arrival  of  Major  Holmes  at  the  Sault,  St.  Mary's, 
the  northwest  agent  was  apprized  of  his  approach, 
and  succeeded  in  escaping' with  a  large  quantity 
of  goods.  A  large  quantity  were,  hofiiirever,  found 
secreted  in  the  woods,  on  the  American  side.-*- 
These  were  claimed  by  the  agent  of  John  John- 
son, an  Indian  trader ;  but  Major  Holmes  de- 
clined giving  them  to  Mr.  Johnson,  «  because," 


y-. 


-^ 


264 


MI8T0BT  07  TUB  WAB. 


as  Mf^or  HolmeB  observed  in  his  letter  to  Llieut 
Col.  Croghan»  «  it  was  good  prize  by  the  mari- 
time  law  of  nations*  as  reeoenized  in  the  English 
oourtsy  r witness  the  case  of  Admiral  Hodney  ad- 
judged oy  Lord  Mansfield.) ,  Further,  beeauso 
Johnson  has  acted  the  infamous  part  of  a  trai- 
tor,  having  been  a  citizen  and  a  magistrate  of 
the  Michigan  territory,  before  the  .war  and  at 
Its  commencement,  and  now  discharging  tlie 
functions  of  magistrate  under  the  British  gov. 
crnment.  Because ,  his  agents  armed  the  In- 
dians from  his  store-house  at  our  approach; 
and  lastly,  because,  those  goods,  or  a  opnsidera- 
ble  part,  were  designed  to  be  taken  to  Michi^- 
mackinac." 

The  expedition  reaehed  Michilimackinac  0n 
the  26th»  where  the  enemy  was  found  so  strong- 
ly posted  on  a  height,  overlooking  the  old  fort, 
that  his  reduction  by  storm,  with  the  small 
force  under  Col.  Croghan,  seemed  very  doubtful. 
It  was  the  colonel's  wish,  at  all  hazards,  to  dis- 
embark in  some  favourable  position,  from  which 
he  might  be  able  to  annoy  the  enemy  by  gradual 
and  slow  approaehes,  under  cover  of  his  artille- 
ry, and  where,  by  fortifying  himscilf,  he  might 
force  the  eneriky  to  attack  him  in  his  strong  po- 
sition ;  or  draw  his  Indians  and  Canadians  (his 
most  efiicient  and  only  disposable  force)  from  the 
island. 

Being  inG>rmed,  by  old  residents  of  the  island, 
where  a  favourable  position  might  be  obtained, 
he  effected  r  landing  on  the  4th  August,  and 
advanced  to  the  field  where  an  encampment  was  ' 
intended,  when  he  received  intelligence  that  the 
enemy  was  ahead,  of  whieh  he  was  soon  convin- 
ced, by  a  discharge  of  shot  and  shells  from  a 
battery  of  4  guns.    The  colonel^  hereon^  chang- 


UliTOftT  Of  THS  WAB. 


MS 


to  Jjhut 
the  mari- 
i  English 
odney  ad- 
'9  beeauBo 
of  a  trai- 
;i8trate  of 
ar  and  at 
•ping  the 
'itisu  gov- 
1  the  In- 
ipproach ; 
[S9nsidera- 
0  Miohi]||i- 

„■:»  ■ 
ekinae  Qn 
80  Btrong- 
)  old  fort) 
the  small 
f  doubtful, 
•dsj  to  dis- 
•om  vrhich 
»y  gradual 
lis  artille- 
he  might 
strong  po- 
idians  (his 
)  from  the 

Ihe  island, 
)  obtained, 
igust,  and 
iment  was 
e  that  the 
on  convin- 
kls  from  a 
on>  chang- 


ed his  positiOD,  (which  was  then  two  lineit  the 
militia  forming  the  front,)  by  advanoing  Mi^or 
Holmes'*  battalion  on  the  right  of  the  militia» 
thus  to  outflank  him,  and  b/  a  rigorous  eflbrt  to 
gain  his  rear.  Before  this  moremei^t  could  be 
executed,  a  Are  fVom  some  Indians^  posted  in  a 
thick  wood*  proved  fatal  to  M^Jor  Holmes,  audi 
soverely  wounded  Captain  Dosha*  the  next  in 
rank.  This  misfortune  threw  that  part  of  the 
line  into  concision,  from  which  it  wat  found  im- 
possible to  recover  it.  As  the  oi^ly  method  left 
of  annoying  the  enemy*  Col.  Crochan  order- 
ed a  charge  to  be  jnade  on  his  firont  by  the  resa- 
lars.  The  enemy  was  thus  driven  back  into  the 
woods,  from  which  an  annoving  Are  was  kept  up 
by  the  Indians.  Lieut.  Alorgan  brought  up  a 
light  piece  to  relieve  the  left  which  was  suTOr- 
iag  from  a  galling  fire  $  the  excellent  practice  of 
this  piece  brought  the  enemy  to  fire  at  a  longekr 
distance. 

Col.  Croghan  finding  the  position,  from  which 
the  enemy  was  driven  not  tenable,  ho  determin- 
ed not  to  eontSnue  to  expose  his  men  to  a  danecFy 
from  which  no  good  result  could  be  expected.— 
He  therefore  ordered  a  retreat  to  the  sbippin(r. 

Sailing-master  Champlin,  wliose  vessel,  the 
Tigress,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemv,  and 
irho,  with  his  crew,  were  prisoners  at  Miohili- 
iKiadkinac,  arrived  aft  Erie  in  November.  Capt. 
Arthur  Sinclair,  commanding  tho  United  States* 
naval  force  on  the  upper  lakes,  statics,  in  a  letter 
to  the  secretary  of  the  na^y,  on  the  authority  of 
sailing-master  ChampHn,  that  '<  the  conduct  of 
the  enemy  to  our  prisoners  (the  crew  of  the  Ti- 
gress) thus  captured,  and  the  inhuman  butchery 
of  those  who  fell  into  their  liands^  at  the  attack 
oTMackihaoky  has  been  barbarous  beyond  a  pa« 


l\ 


.*> 


S66 


UISTOUT   Of  TUB  VfXU, 


;>;.''*: 


rallel.  The  former  have  been  pluodered  of  al- 
most every  article  of  clothing  thejr  posseBscd ; 
,  the  latter  had  their  hearts  and  livers  tal(en  out, 
nrhieh  urere  actually  cooked  and  feasted  on  by 
the  savages*  and  that  too  in  the  quarters  of  the 
British  officers,  sanetioned  by  Col.  M'Dougall.'' 

The  British  araiy,  under  Gen.  Drumniond, 
■being  oonsiders|bly  reinforced*  there  appeared  an 
absolute  necessity  to  strengthen  that  under  Gen. 
Brown*  and  to  make  such  u  diversion  or  co-ope- 
ration* as  would  draw  off  the  enemy  fVoni  the 
neighbourhood  of  Fort  Erie*  or  compel  him  to 
surrender.  A  vigorous  attack  on  Kingston  must* 
If  made*  produce  the  first  of  these  effects ;  the 
throwing  of  a  large  force  into  the  rear  of  Gen. 
0rummond*  might  have  the  latter  effect.  Gen. 
izard  marched  from  Plattsburgh*  about  the  lat 
{September*  with  a  large  force*  which  formed  a 
junction  with  Gen.  Brown*  about  the  12th  Octo. 
ber;  thus  having*  unfortunately*  occupied  more 
4han  40  days  in  performing  a  Journey  of  253 
miles  by  land*  and  a  voyage  of  90  miles  by  water 
—total  distance  from  Plattsburgh  to  Black  Rock* 
94S  miles. 

The  slow  movement  of  Gen.  Izard*8  army* 
gave  to  the  enemy  the  time  necessary  to  equip 
the  new  ship  St.  Lawrence*  of  90  guris*  lately 
built  at  Kingston.  The  British  fleet*  with  this 
big-  ship*  appeared  off  Niagara*  the  2d  Novem- 
ber* and  gave  to  the  enemy  the  command  of  lake 
Ontario*  by  which  Gen.  Drummond  could  be 
reinforced  or  taken  off*  if  necessary.  It  also 
enabled  the  enemy  to  threaten  Sackett's  Har- 
bour }  .and  Gen.  Brown  was  ordered  to  the  de- 
fence of  the  Harbour^  leaving  Gen.  Izard  in  com- 
mand at  Elrie.      V        -v.-  -..    r      ^  n:, 


■\      • 


UISTOBT  OT  THE  WAR. 


267 


The  oarapaign  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Niaga- 
ra muit,  from  the  lateness  of  the  season,  lie 
drawing  to  fk  close;  it  appeared  to  Gen.  Izard* 
that  liis  army  could  not  remain  in  safety  at  Erie, 
the  fort  was  therefore  destroyed,  and  the  armj 
crossed  to  Huffuloe,  where  ittool^  up  winter  quar- 
toijs.  *' 

The  army  left  at  Plattsburgh,  after  the  march 
of  Gen.  Izard,  was  very  wealc ;  the  command 
devolved  on  Gen.  Maootnb.  The  enemy  em- 
braoed  this  opportunity  for  making  an  incursion 
into  the  state  of  New-Yoric,  on  tlie  side  of  Lalie 
Champlain,  with  a  view  to  secure  a  ttrong  posi- 
lion  at  Crown  Point,  or  Tioonderoga,  previous 
to  going  into  winter-quarters ;  and,  ultinDatelv, 
to  eo-operate  with  an  army,  that  was  to  invade 
the  state  of  New-York,  or  Connecticut,  on  the 
sea-board ;  and  thus  effect  the  p;reat  object  of 
(he  British  government,  the  political  separation, 
of  the  eastern  from  the  scuthern  states. 

General  Sir  George  Prevost,  commanded  tjie 
British  land  forces,  destined  for  this  servicoy- 
consisting  of  four  brigades,  each  commanded  by 
a  major-general  of  experience  j  a  light  squadron 
of  dragoons,  and  an  immenee  train  of  artillery^, 
and  all  th^  engines  of  war ;  the  entire  amount- 
ing to  14,000  men.  IrVhilv  the  troops  advanced 
by  land,  the  fleet,  apparently  superior  to  the 
Americ(itt,  advanced  by  water.  To  resist  this 
overwhelming  force.  Gen.  Macomb  had  but  1500 
effectives.  In  aid  of  tliis  small  force^  the  milHia 
was  hastily  assembled. 

The  British  governor- general  entered  the  ter- 
ritory of  the  United  States,  on  the  Ist  September, 
1S14,  and  A]^ed  his  head-quarters  at  tlie  village 
of  Champlain ;  from  which,  he  commenced  an 
attack,  by  promises  and  threats«,  on  the  citizens 


¥■:  a 


^68 


mSTOBT  Of  THE  WAK. 


of  tbe  United  Statics,  previous  to  the  more^^^ri- 
ous  attacks  ivhich  vrcre  to  be  simultaneoas  Ivy 
land  and  water,  and  vrere  effectually  to  over- 
throw all  opposition  on  both. 

On  the  2d,  the  British  army  inarched  from 
Champl&in;  on  the  5thy  it  appeared,  in  full 
force,  before  the  village  of-Plattsburgh.  No 
sooner  was  the  intention  of  the  enemy  discover- 
ed, than  the  militia  was  called  out :  those  of  th(» 
county  of  Clinton  assembled  on  the  2t'  3eptem- 
liier,  near  the  village  of  Chazy,  where  they  took 
a  position,  under  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Miller. 
On  the  follQwing  day.  Gen.  Wright  took  a  posi- 
tion, with  his  brigade,  seven  miles  in  ?^dvance  ot|' 
Plattsborj^h.  On  the  advance  of  the  enemy, 
Col.  Appling,  who  was  placed  with  his  command 
on  the  lake  road,  fell  back  to  Dead-creek,  where 
he  posted  himself,  and  impeded  the  approach  of 
the  pursuers  so  much  by  blocking  up  the  passage, 
that  the  enemy  was  compelled  to  alter  his  course 
toward  the  Beekmantown  road.    On  the  morning 

Mf  Ihn   Mh.  iht^    uAvumw  nf  **»'-  Lj.     ' 

..»..-    ^...,  ...:   w^,. ^  V*  wic  enemy  attaokeu 

the  militia,  about  700,  under  General  Meoers, 
and  a  small  detachment  of  regulars  commanded 
by  Major  'Wool.  Unfortunately,  a  part  of  the 
militia  broke  and  fled,  the  remainder,  together 
with  the  regulars,  made  a  bold  and  masterly  op- 
position, retiring  slowly  and  regularly  before  a 
large  force  for  six  miles,  when  they  were  rein- 
forced within  a  mile  of  Piatt  sburgh  by  a  Captain 
liconard  and  a  few  men  with  two  pieces  of  ar- 
tillery. This  force,  by  taking  advantage  of  the 
eover  of  a  stone  wall,  made  a  stand  and  cheeked 
the  progress  of  the  enemy,  until  overpowered  by 
superior  numbers,  it  retired,  as  bcL'ore,  slowly, 
dealing  death  among  the  enemy,  until  it  reach- 
«d  the  south  bank  of  the  Saranac,  where  the 


JOTBTOBT  OF  TIIB   WAB. 


269' 


pursuit  of  the  enemy  was  effectually  cliecked« 
and  he  forced  to  retire.  From  Uiis  time  until 
the  morning  that  was  to  de«}ide  the  fate  of  Platts- 
burgh  and  perhaps  of  Albany,  continual  sMr- 
mishing  was  kept  up»  each  party  preparing  itself 
for  the  bloody  conflict.  The  enemy  occupied  an 
extent  of  about  three  miles;  he  erected  seven 
heavy  batteries  and  fully  supplied  himself  with 
all  the  usual  means  of  attack.  The  Americans 
were  engaged  in  annoying  the  £nemy  and 
strengthening  their  own  works..,/l\e  11th  was 
fixed  on  for  the  attack  by  land  and  water.  At  9 
o*olock  in  tlie  morning  of  that  day,  the  euemy'd 
ilotilla  on  Lake  Champlain,  passed  Cumberland- 
head.  It  consisted  of  1  frigate  of  32  guns,  t 
brig  of  22  guns,  2  sloops  of  10  guns  each,  and 
several  galleys.  The  American  fleet  lay  in  Cum- 
berland bay,  opposite  Plattsburgh.  The  encmy^ 
superior  in  vessels,  guns,  and  number  of  men^ 
advanced  with  that  confluence,  which  his  supe- 
riority of  force,  inspired ;  and  the  bloody  con- 
flict began.  Com.  Thomas  Macdonough  oom- 
nianded  the  American  flotilla.  Undaunted,  ho 
wailed  the  attack,  trusting  in  the  heroism  of  a 
little  band,  which  seemed  determined  to  oonquery . 
or  die*.  For  two  hours  and  fifteen  minutes,  tho 
contest  was  maintained,  with  an  obstinacy  which*  • 
while  it  added  to,  or  rather  perfected  the  re- 
nown already  acquired  by  the  American  seamen» 
did  not  disgrace  the  vanquished.  Modesty  seems 
to  bei  a  quality  highly  possessed  by  the  naval 
commanders  in  the  United  States*  The  follow- 
ing laconic  letter,  written  to  the  secii;tary  of  the 
navy,  by  Com.  Macdonough,  Is  at  once  a  proof 
of  modesty,  and  a  notice  of  success. 

«  The  Almig;hty  has  been  pleased  to  grant  us  a 
signal  victory  on  Lake  Champlainy  in  (he  capture  of 

X  2 


.1^ 


■  i 


'•JO 


niSTOBT   or  TH«  VAlf. 


one  frigate,  one  brig,  and  two  sloops  of  wari  of  the 
enemy." 

The  American  galleys  were  aliout  pursuing 
those  of  the  cDemy*  that  were  making  their  es- 
oape^  but,  it  being  discovered,  that  all  the  yesseh 
~iverc  in  a  sinking  state,  it  became  necessary  to 
annul  the  signal  to  chase,  and  order  the  men 
from  the  galleyp  to  the  pumps.  «  I  could  only," 
observed  Com.  Macdonongh,  «  look  at  the  ene- 
my's galleys  going  off  in  a  shattered  condition, 
lor  there  was  not  a  mnst  in  either  squadron  that 
could  staled  to  make  sail  on ;  the  lower  rigging 
being  nearly  all  shot  away,  hung  down  as  though 
it  had  been  just  placed  over  the  mast-heads."-^ 
«'  The  Saratoga,"  continued  the  commodore, 
*f  hhAJiftyJire  round  ^lot  in  her  hull ;  the  Con- 
Hance,  (enemy's  vessel)  one  hundred  and  JtteJ* 
The  following  is  a  comparative  view  of  the 
number  and  strength  of  the  vessels  engaged,  and 
the  loss  on  board  them. 

AMERICAN. 

Guna.Men.Killed*  Wounded. 
Ship  Saratoga  26      310 

Brig  Eagle  30      130 

Schooner  Ticonderoga      17      110 
Sloop  Preble  7'       30 

Ten  Gun-Boats  1&      Z50 


25 
13 

6. 

2 

a 


39 

20 

6 

5 


I; 


Total        86  820  4m3  58 

BKlTIStt.  s 

irrigate  Confiance              39*  SOa  50  60 

Urig  Lionet                   >     16  120  30  30 

Chub  (formerly  Growler)  fl  40  6  10 

!Finch  (formerly  Eagle)     11  40  8  10 

Thiris«n  Gun*boata          18  550  0  o 


Total 


95.    1050    84.     110 


UISXORY    OF   TUe   WAR. 


QU 


At  the  same  hour  that  the  fleets  engaged,  tlie 
eaeniy  opened  his   batteries  on  the  American 
torts,  throwing  hundreds  of  shells,  balls  and 
rockets;  and   attempted,  at  the  same  time,' to 
crosi^  the  Saranac  river,  at  three  different  points, 
to  assault  the  American  works.    At  the   upper 
ford,  he  was  met  by  the  Vermont  volunteers  and 
New- York    militia.      Here  a  most  interesting 
eoniiicc  took  place ;  on  the  one  side,  the  best 
troops  of  Britain,  led  on  by  her  most  consum- 
mate  officers,   men  and  officers   selected  from 
those   soldiers,   who,   under  command   of   the 
Duke  of  Wellington,  had  acquired  the  charac- . 
ter  of  «  invincible/'   men  who  had  conquered 
in  Portugal,  Spain,  France,  and  the  Indies ;  on 
the  other*  side,   men   not  reared  to^  arms,  not 
used  to  battle,  most  of  them  born  since  their 
sires  had    immortalized  themselves  in  combat 
on   this   same  ground,  the  descendants  of  the 
«  Green   Mountain-boys"  and  of  those  heroes 
who  conquered  at  Saratoga,  kc.    The   object 
of  contest  was  great ;  on  it  was,  probably,  to 
hang  every  future  event  of  the  war.    The  en« 
cmy  fought  for  the  recoYcry  of  a  territory  which 
would  make  his  king  the  most  powerful  prince 
in  the  world ;  the  officers  looked  to  places  of 
omolument,  pensions,  grants  of  land,  titles  of 
jaobility,  stars,  garters,  ribbands,  plunder ;  hon~ 
ours  and  riches  in  a  thousand  shapes  and  forms : 
the   honest  American  yeomen    sought  neither 
pay  nor  pecuniary  reward,  beyond  the  daily  sti- 
pend of  ^  soldier.    But  yesterday,  they  wera  at 
their  ploughs,  t<>-day,  they  grasped  their  riffes, 
and  hurried  to  the  threshold  of  their  country-^ 
their  ultimate  reward  was  to  be  a  ccnfirmatioii 
«f  the  liberties  entailed  on  them  by  their  sires« 
a^eontiAuaBce  of  that  indeirendGnce  they  we%e 


'"  m 


h'^ 


I 


972 


BISTORT   OV  THir.   V/XB., 


F^lT 


determined  to  preserve,  or  not  to  survive.  The 
conflict  was  influenced  b^'  feelings  uhicli  drew 
fortli  the  utmost  exertions  of.  both  parties,  and 
substituted  desperation  on  one  side,  and  unbend- 
ing patriotism  on  the  other,  in  place  of  that  in- 
dinerence  or  cowardice,  which  so  often  leads 
to  disaster  and  disgrace.  Several  times  were 
'  Uie  enemy  repulsed,  several  times  did  he  re- 
turn to  the  ftfrd ;  astonished  at  this  obstinate 
resistaqce,  from  woodsmen,  suddenly  assembled 
on  the  occasion,  the  enemy  yet  believed  they 
must  give  way;  again  he  advances,  again  he  h 
repulsed ;  astonished,  confounded,  dismayed,  he 
retires:  no  longer  invincible,  he  acknowledges 
defeat — defeat  from  whom?  Let  Wellington's 
men  answer ;  or  let  them  send  for  a  reply  to 
the  mountains  of  Vermont,  or  the  wilderness 
of  New- York.  At  the  bridge  near  the  village, 
he  was  repulsed  by  the  pickets,  and  the  brave 
piflemen,  under  Capt.  Grosvenor,  and  Lieuten- 
ants Hamilton  and  Riley;  and,  at  the  bridge  in 
the  town,  he  was  foiled  by  the  guards,  block- 
houses, and  the  artillery  of  the  foi  ts,  served  by 
Captains  Alexander  Brooks,  Richards  and  Smith, 
and  Lieutenants  Munford,  Smith  and  Cromwell. 
The  enemy's  fire  was  returned  with  effect  from 
the  batteries;  by  sun-set,  seven  of  his  newly 
raised  batteries  were  silenced,  and  he  was  seen 
retiring  ta  his  camp.  Beaten  by  land,  and  by 
water,  the  British  governor- general  withdrew 
bis  artillery,  and  raised  the  siege.  Under  favour 
of  a  dark  night,  he  sent  off  his  heavy  baggage, 
and  retreated  with  his  whole  army  towards  Ca- 
nada, leaving  his  wounded  in  the  field,  aiid  a 
Tast  quantity  of  provisions,  and  munitions  of 
war,  which  he  had  not  time  to  destroy.  The. 
light    troops,  volunteers  and  militia^  pur&aedi 


UI  STORY   OF  THS  \VAB. 


273 


l/ini  on  the  following  day^  eapturing  several  sol- 
diers»  aod  covering  the  escape  of  a  great  num- 
ber ot*  deserters:  bad  weather  prevented  the 
pursuit  to  be  continued, beyond  Chazy.  Thus 
have  l^yOOO  regularsy  with  the  best  British  offi- 
oers»  and  the  best  militavy  equipment*  been  bea- 
ten by  a  regular  foree  of  only  1500  men»  and 
2500  militfa  and  volunteers ;  the  militia  com- 
manded by  Gen;  Moores^  and  the  volunteers  by 
Gen.  Strong.  The  enemy  having  retired  from 
republican  ground,  the  militia  and  volunteers 
were  dismissed. 

The  official  return  of  the  loss  of  the  Ameri- 
can regulars,  ^inounted  to  1  subaltern^  1  ser- 
geanty  1  musieian,  and  Si*  privates,  l^illed— -total 
37;  2  subalters,  1  sergeant-major,  ^  sergeants, 
2  corporals,  ^  musicians,  and  4)9  privates,  wound- 
ed— total  62 ;  total  killed,  wounded  and  missing, 
119. 

General  M'Comb  states  tl^e  loss  of  the  en- 
emy 00  the  laud  iu»d  lair*,  o*  »»«♦  !«*•   «bon  a/ino 


>*^    Wki.    Aavfc    «vwU 


men. 

While  glory  and  victory  attended  the  armies 
of  the  United  States*  the  navy  continued  in- 
creasing its  numb^'r  of  victories,  and  private 
armed  vessels  carried  destruction  to  the  enemy 
in  every  sea.  Even  in  the  British  Channel,  the 
enemy  felt  that  his  thousand  ships  of  war  could 
HOt  bring  safety  to  his  traders.  Insurance  to 
cross  the  channel,  rose  from  a  few  shillings  to 
five  guineas  (S2S,75)  per  cent. 

In  lat.  27, 47  N.  lc«i.  80,  9,  on  the  29tli  April* 
1814,  the  tJ*  S.  sloop  of  war  Peacock,*  fell  in 
Vfitli  his  Britannic  majesty's  brig  Epervler,  ra^ 
ting  and  mounting  18  S2>pound  oarronades,  with 
128  men.  The  Epervier  struck  her  colours  af- 
ter an  action  ef  42  nilnntes,  and  the  loss  of  8 


;|i    ;  s 


.K'i 


:d 


11 


It 


?f^ 


^i^ 


r  ; 


M 


274 


I  . 


BISTOBT  OF  TUB   WAR- 


men  1cil]ed»  and  15  wounded.  Two  men  were 
slightly  wounded  on  board  (he  Peacock.  Both 
vessels  arrived  at  Savannah*  the  prize  being 
with  difficulty  kept  above  water.  The  damage 
suffered  hy  the  two  vessels*  will  be  seen  by  the 
following  extract  from  the  official  report  of  Capt. 
Warrington.  k. /. 

«*  This,  (the' disabling  of  a  fore  yard)  with  a  few 
top  masts,  and  top-gallant  back  stays  cut  away,  a  few 
shot  through  our  sails,  is  the  only  injury  the  Pea* 
Gock  has  sustained.  Not  a  round  shot  touched  our 
hull ;  our  masts  and  spars  are  as  sound  as  ever. — 
When  the  enemy  struck,  he  had  five  feet  water  in 
his  hold,  his  main  top*mast  was  over  the  side,  li|is 
main  boom  shot  away,  his  fore-mast  cut  nearly  in 
two,  and  tottering,  his  fore  rigging  and  stays  shot  a« 
way,  his  bowsprit  badly  wounded,  and  45  shot  holes 
in  his  hull,  30  of  which  were  within  a  foot  of  his 
water  line." 

The  Epervier  had  120,000  dollars  in  specie* 

on  Do&rcl. 

The  United  States'  sloop  of  war  Frolic,  Jo- 
seph Bainbridge  eommander*  was  eaptured*  af- 
ter a  chase  by  H.  B.  M.  frigate  Orpheus,  of  36 
guns,  on  the  20th  April.  A  court  of  inquiry, 
held  on  board  the  U.  S.  frigate  Constitution,  at 
New-York,  the  20th  ApriU  18i6»  gave  their 
opinion,  <«  that  the  same  was  not  lost,  through 
the  fault,  inat(  f  ^ititi^  or  negligence  of  Captain 
Bainbridge."  The  court  rJf  i  reported  favoura- 
bly on  the  conduct  of  the  offi^oers  and  crew  of  the 
Frolie. 

His  Britannic  majesty's  sloop  of  war  Rein- 
deer, was  captured  the  28th  June,  ISli,  in  lat. 
48,  36  N.  and  ion.  11,  15  W.  by  the  U.  S.  sIoo|» 
of  war  Wasp,  Capt.  J.  Blakely.  The  action 
eommenced  at  26  miniites  after  3  P.  M. ;  at  45 


m 


ih 


BISTORT  OF  THE  VAK. 


276 


men  were 


*s  in  specie, 


minutes  past  3,  the  enemy- was  carried  by  board- 
ing. The  action,  for  the  short  time  it  lasted, 
was  severe,  and  both  vessels  and  crews  sulTered 
considerably.  The  loss  on  board  the  Wasp,  was 
principally  occasioned  by  repelling  the  enemy, 
in  two  attempts  which  he  made  to  board.  The 
Reindeer  mounted  16  24-pound  carronades,  2 
long  6  or  9-pounders,  and  a  shifting  12-pound 
carronade,  with  a  complement  of  118  picked 
men,  called,  from  their  appearance,  the  «  pride 
of  Plymouth."  The  Reindeer  was  literally  ciit 
to  pieces,  and  so  complete  a  wreck,  in  both  hull 
and  rigging,  that  it  was  found  necessary  to  de- 
stroy her.  Her  commander,  (William  Manners, 
Esq.)  and  22  petty  officers  and  seamen,  were 
killed;  wounded  dangerously,  10;  severely,  17; 
slightly  15 — total  killed  and  wounded,  75. 

On  board  the  Wasp,  there  were  5  killed,  and 
21  wounded.  Six  round  shot  struck  the  hull  of 
the  Wasp;  a  24-pound  shot  passed  through  the 
fore  mast,  and  a  considerable  number  of  grape 
struck,  but  did  not  penetrate  her  sides.  The 
Wasp  arrived  at  L*Orient  the  8th  July. 

The  Wasp  sailed  from  L'Orient  on  the  27th 
August.  At  half  past  9  o'clock,  P.  M.  the  1st 
September,  engaged  a  vessel,  supposed  to  be  a 
large  brig  of  war,  and  forced  hor  to  strike  her 
Hag,  at  12  minutes  past  10.  In  a  few  minutes, 
Capt.  Rlakely  discovered  another  brig,  and  pre- 
pared for  action ;  at  36  minutes  past  102  brigs, 
in  sight,  when  the  Wasp  was  compelled  to  re- 
linquish her  prize.  The  Wasp  lost  2  men  ki\U 
ed,  and  had  1  man  wounded.  The  enemy,  af- 
ter his  surrender,  was  heard,  asking  assistance^ 
and  said  he  was  sinking.  The  enemy's  vessel 
proved  afterwards  to  be  the  •^Ivon,  By  the 
British  details,  it  was  aokiaowledged,  that  the 


feirh 


mm 


mAj^ 


27B 


HI8T0KT  «F  TttE  WAB. 


,  1 


li 


mi-    S . 


t#0  t^sselsy  ^hich  came  in  aid  of  the  Avbo, 
were  the  Castiliaii  and  Tartarus,  each  of  them 
of  force  equal  to  the  Wasp.  The  Avon  went 
to  the  bottobiy  after  the  surviving  part  of  lier 
orew  was  removed  on  board  the  other  British 
.vesseli.  The  Avon  was  in  the  Delaware  in 
1810;  she  then  carried  18  32-pound  carronadesi 
besides  bow  and  stem  guns. 

Irhe  Essex,  Capt.  Porter,  the  smallest  frigate 
in  the  American  navy,  was  destined  to  prove  im- 
mensely injurious  to  the  enemy.  Her  crui»e  in 
the  Paoifio  ocean  has  supplied  ample  matei  <als 
for  an  interesting  volume.  Capt.  Porter  not  un- 
ly  protected  the  American  shipping  against,  tlj^ 
numerous  letters  of  marque,  which  the  enemy 
had  sent  into  those  seas,  but  rendered  these 
very  letters  of  marque  tributary  to  his  plan  of 
destroying  the  enemy's  trade,  particularly  in  the 
fisheries. 

Capt.  Porter  sailed  from  the  Delaware,  the 
2TiS  October,  1812.  On  his  passage  to  Rio 
de  Janeiro,  he  captured  the  British  packet 
Xorton,  and  took  out  of  her  11,000  pounds  ster- 
ling, in  specie.  He  arrived  at  Valparaiso  on 
the  14tli  March,  1813,  where  he  obtained  a  full 
supply  of  provisions.  He  then  ran  down  along 
the  coast  of  CRili  and  Peru,  fell  in  with  a  Pe- 
ruvian corsair,  which  had  uo  board  24  Ameri- 
cans, the  crews  of  two  whale  ships  she  had  cap- 
tured on  the  coast ;  he  threw  the  guns  and  am- 
munition of  the  corsair  into  the  sea»  liberated 
the  Americans,  and  tfiterward^-  re-captured  one 
of  the  vessels,  as  she  was  entering  the  port  of 
Lima. 

From  Lima,  Capt.  Porter  proceeded  fc*  the 
Gallipagcs  Tslands.  While  among  this  group 
of  islands^  ho  captured  the  following  Briti^ 


HISTORY  OT  THE   WAS. 


J77 


ships,  (letters  of  marque)  employed  chidfly  in 
the  Spermaceti  whale  fishery. 

Tona.Men.  GunakPiereedfsr 


Monte^enma 

370 

21 

3 

• 

Policy 

ir^ 

26 

10 

1# 

Georgiana 

S80 

25 

6 

18 

Greenwich 

388 

25 

10 

20 

Atlantic 

355 

24 

8 

20 

Rose  ,        . 

220 

21 

8 

30 

Hector 

270 

25 

11 

20 

Catherine 

'     270 

29 

8 

18 

Serin  gapatam 

357 

31 

14 

26 

Charlton 

,274 

21 

10 

18 

New  Zealander 

259 

23 

8 

18 

Sir  A.  Hammond 

301 

31 

12 

18 

/            - 

3456 

302 

107 

The  Atlantic  received  the  new  name  of  the 
^sscX'Juniw^  wa^  equipped  with  20  guns,  and 
her  command  given  to  Lieut.  Downs. 

Lieut.  Downs  convoyed  some  of  the  prizes  to 
Valparaiso ;  and  Capt.  Porter  on  the  return  of 
Lieut.  Downs,  proceeded  with  the  other  prizes  to 
the  island  of  Nooaheevah,  where  he  overhauled 
his  Sihip,  took  on  board  a  supply  of  provisions, 
s>nd  sailed  for  the  eoast  of  Chili,  on  the  12(h 
December,  1813. 

Previous  to  sailing  from  Nooaheeyab,  he  se- 
cured his  prizes  under  the  guns  of  a  battery^ 
whieh  he  erected  for  their  protection,  and  left 
the  battery  in  charge  of  Lieut.  Gamble,  and  21 
marines,  with  orders  to  proceed  to  Valparaiso, 
after  a  certain  period.  A  friendly  intercourse 
was  established  with  the  natives  ;  and  the  island 
taken  possession  of,  in  the  name  of  the  United 
States.  lie  arrived  on  the  coast  of  Chili  the 
12th  January,  1814. 

T 


f'<' 


11 


IW-*!^ 


'f 


mi 


r 


I-  • : ;  • 


ar« 


KISTOBY  OP   THE  WAR. 


The  captain  detailed  his  success  in  the  folUAV' 
ing  words: 

«  I  had  completely  broke  up  the  British  naviga- 
tion in  the  Pacific  ;  the  vessels  which  had  not  been 
captured,  were  laid  up,  and  dared  not  venture  out. 
Th&  valuable  whale  iishery  there,  is  entirely  de- 
stroyed, and  the  actual  injury  we  have  done  tbeni) 
may  be  estimnted  at  two  and  a  half  millions  of  dol- 
lars, independent  of  expenses  of  vessels  in  search 
of  me.  They  have  furnished  me  amply  with  sails, 
cordage,  cables,  anchors,  provisions,  medicines,  and 
stores  of  every  description  ;  and  the  slops  on  board 
them  have  furnished  clothing  for  the  seamen.  We 
had,  in  fact,  lived  on  the  enemy  since  I  had  been  in 
that  sea,  every  prize  having  provpd  a  well  found, 
store-ship  for  me.  I  had  not  been  under  the  neces- 
sity of  drawing  bills  on  the  department  for  any  ob- 
ject and  had  been  enabled  to  make  considerable  ad- 
vances to  my  officers  and  crew  on  account  of  pay." 

After  a?  Jt*iving  at  Valparaiso,  he  found  hini- 
sei£  Moekad etl  by  two  British  ship? ;  the  Plice- 
be,  Com.  Hillyary  carrying  30  long  lS-poiinders^ 
16  d2-pouad  carronades;  1  howitzer,  and  6  3- 
pounders  in  the  tops,  and  a  complement  of  320 
men ;  and  the  Cherub,  mounting  28  guns,  and 
having  a  {^ompiement  of  180  men ;  making,  to- 
gether, Si  guns,  and  600  men.  The  force  of  the 
Essex  was  46  guns,  40  S2-pound  carronades,  and 
6  long  12*8,  her  ^revr  amounted  to  2d5  men. — 
The  fiSsex-Junior  mounted  20  guns,  10  18- 
pound  carronades,  and  10  short  e's,  with  only 
60  men  on  board. 

Capt.  Porter  having  sought  in  vain  to  bring 
on  an  aotion  with  any  one  of  the  enemy,  had  re- 
solved on  putting  to  sea,  in  the  hope  of  outsail- 
ing them.  On  the  28th  of  March,  i  814,  during 
a  fresh  blow  of  wind,  the  Essex  parted  her  lar- 
board cablc^  and  dragged  the  starboard  anehpr 


U18T0BY  or  THE   WAR, 


979 


directly  to  sea.     Finding  himself  in  this  sitwi- 
tion,  he  hoisted  sail*  and  got  under  way.     Oil 
rounding  a  point  of  land,  a  heavy  souall  ttrnck 
tljo  ship,  and  carried  away  hor  main  top-ouiit^Vr 
precipitating  the  men,  who  were  aloft,  into  th««^ 
sea.    Being  chased  by  the  two  enemy's  ships, 
and  unable  to  gain  his  former  anchorage^  he 
close  into  a  small  bay,  about  three  qi^arterH       « 
mile  to  leeward  of  the  battery,  on  tlie  eas         ) 
of  the  harbour,  and  let   go  his  anehor^  wr 
pistol  shot  of  the  sljore. 

It  was  in  this  situation,  that  his  crippled  ship 
and  reduced  crew  were  attacked,  in » neutral 
port,  contrary  to  the  laws  of  nations,  by  two 
ships  of  the  enemy.  The  Essex  wai  carried, 
but  a  prize  has  never  been  bought  at  a  dearer 
rate.  The  action  lasted  nearly  two  hours  and 
a  half.  The  Cherub,  from  her  crippled  state, 
was  compelled  to  haul  off,  but  continued  to  fire 
at  a  distance  from  her  long  guns.-  The  Phcebo 
also  chose,  after  suffering  considerably,  to  fire 
from  a  distance  wkh  her  long  guns,  while  the 
Essex  could  not  reach  him  with  her  carronudes. 
There  never  was  a  ship  more  eut  up  than  the 
Essex,  nor  that  suffered  more  in  men.  Seventy 
men,  inoluding  ofitcers,  were  all  that  remained 
after  the  action,  capable  of  doing  duty,  and  ma- 
ny of  these  severely  wounded. 

The  enemy  continued  firing  for  several  mi- 
antes,  and*  killed  and  wounded  many  of  the  creiw 
of  the  Essex,  after  her  colours  were  struck,  and 
an  opposite  gun  fired,  to  show  that  resistance 
had  ceased.  Capt.  Porter  conceiving  it  was  in- 
tended to  refuse  quarter,  was  on  the  point  of 
hoisting  his  colours,  and  selling  his  life  as  dear 
as  possible,  when  the  fire  of  the  enemy  ceased. 
The  Phcebe  was  so  cut  np,  that  she  wns^  witli 


A^< 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


-1^    12.5 
■^  Ui2    12.2 


1.1 


SB4    ' 

US 


■^  1^ 


1.8 


1.25  1  1.4    III  1.6 

< 

6"     

► 

Hiotographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  M5S0 

(716)  873-4S03 


»& 


,s  ■ 


*\. 


V. 


2$9 


HISTeRT  99  THS   WAS. 


(  •.■ 


great  diileuUy  worked  into  Yalparaiso/aiid  it 
seemed  doubtful,  even  afier  she  cauie  to  anohor, 
whether  she  could  be  repaired  so  as  to  enable 
her  to  double  Cape  Horn.  She  had  eighteen 
12-pound  shot  through  her,  below  her  water 
line.  Nothiog  but  the  smoothness' of  the  water 
saved  her  from  sinking.  Had  the  Phoebe  and 
Cherub  dalred  to  come  boldly  into  elese  aeiioHf 
they  would  have  been  nndoubtedly  defeated.—. 
The. enemy's  loss  in  men  cannot  be  ascertained, 
but  must  have  been  very  severe.  That  of  the 
Essex  was — 

Killed,  and  have  died  since  of  their  wounds,  68 
Severely  wounded  '  -  -  -  '  -  S9, 
Slightly  wounded  ^  ^  ,  -  26> 
Missing       .        ^       .        .       n.       .         si 

Total       -       -       164 
It  was  agreed  between  Capt.  Porter  and  Co^. 
Hillyar,  that  the  Essex-Junior  should  be  dis- 
armed, and  employed  as  a  oartel^  to  bring  Capt. 
Porter  and  his  men  to  the  United  States,  to  be 
there  exchanged  for  an  equtd  number  of  British 
prisoners  of  equal  rank.    On  the  6th  July>  the 
^  Essex*  Junior  arrived  off  New-Tork,  and  was 
overhauled  by  the  British  ship  Saturn.    Capti 
vl^rter,  judging  from  the  conduct  of  the  British 
officer,  that  he  would  violate  the  terms,  under 
which  tiie  Essex-Junior  had  sailed,  took  to  his 
beat ;  and,  after  rowing  and  sailing  46  mUes, 
i^eached  liong-lsland. 

,'A  The  winter  season,  rendering  it  difficult  and 
dangerous  for  an  enemy's  fleet  to  remain  on  the 
American  coast,  to  the  northwafd  of  Tirginia, 
it  was  conjectured  that  his 'blockading  squadron 
would  be  moved  to  the  southward,  nor  was  the 
<$onjecture  ill  fomided»    It  was  his  intention  to 


'  '  'V, 


-*i 


niSTORT 


OV  THK  W^K* 


^I 


eflTeet/somclhiDg  more  permanently  usefuly  than 
the  robbing  of  private  property.  A  general  a^t 
larni  prevailed  among  the  inhabitants,  partieu-- 
larly  in  the  cities^  along  the  sea  coast.  It  was 
also  ascertained,  that  great  preparations  'were 
making,  and  several  thousand  men  .collected  in 
the  West-Indies,  with  the  avowed  intention  of 
invading  soine  of  the  southern  states.     ^ 

At  4  o'clock,  P.  M.  on  the  15th  September, 
1814,  Fort  Bowyer,  on  Mobile  Point,  was  attack- 
ed by  a  superior  British  naval  and  land  force.— 
The  naval  force*  was  under  command  of  Sir  H. 
W.  Percy,  and  consisted  of  2  ships  from  24  to 
28  guns,  mounting  32  pound  carronades ;  2  brigs 
from  16  to  18  guns,  monnting  24-ponnd  carron- 
ades, and  3  tenders.  The  land  forces  consisted^ 
of  100  marines  under  command  of  Col.  Nioholls^ 
a, body  of  Indians  under  command  of  Captain 
AVoodbine^  and  a  battery  of  a.  12  pounder  and 
kowitzer  under  direction  of,  an  ofllcerof  the  ar- 
tillery. The  Ameriean  effective  force  was  about 
120  men,  of  ^vhora  not  more  than  90  were  eitr 
gaged. 

At  4,  P.  M.  the  enemy's  leading  ship,  called 
the  Hermes,  having  approached  sufficiently  near* 
the  guns  of  the  battery  opened  upon  her :  at  20 
minutes  past  4,  the  engagement  beoame  general. 
Soon  after  this   time,  the  British  land  forces 
were  put  to  flight,  by  discharges  of  grape  and 
eannister,  from  a  9  pounder.    At  5,  P.  M.  the 
guns  of  the  Hermes  were  silenced,  and  she  drift-.. 
ed  out,  and  grounded  within  600  yards  of  the' 
battery,  where  she  continued  to  be  fired  on,  un^^ 
til  night.    At  sun^set  the  other^ vessels  cut  tlieir 
eables,  and  stood  ofi^  under  a  tremendous  fire ; 
^rem  the  battery.    At  a  quai^er  past  7y  the  \ 


:|^ 


^s^_ 


t^^rp' 


^  / 


282 


HISTOBr  OV  THS  WilKr       f 


\' 


Hermes  appeared  to  be  on  fire ;  at  lO^  her  ma- 
gazine blew  up. . 
.  It  was  learned,  firom  deserters,  that  f  50  of  the 
erew  of  the  Hermes  were  lost,  that  85  were  kill- 
ed  or  wounded  on  boani  the  ether  shipt  aodi sev- 
eral on  boai^d  the  other  vessels.  The  Ameriean 
loss  was  4  killed  and  5  wounded.  Major  'Wil- 
liam Lawrenee  eommanded  at  the  fort.  On  the 
16th  the  enemy's  fleet  stood  to  sea. 

The  appearance  of  50  or  60  vessels  of  the  en- 
emy»  in  the  mouth  of  the  Missis'sippiylrendered  it 
almost  certain,  that  the  city  of  New-Orleans 
would  be  an  object  of  attack.  The  advance  of 
the  enemy  was  announced,  in  general  orders,  on 
the  14th  December,  ISli,  by  GoV.  Claibomelf 
and*  on  the  i  8th,  Gen.  Ja«.kson  reviewed  the 
militia,  preparatory  to  ^meeting  the  enemy. — 
Martial  law  was- declared  on  the  16th.  The 
woodsmen  fromLouisiana/Tennessee,  Mississippi 
Territory,  and  Kentucky,  hastened  to  the  scene 
'.  of  honour  and  glory;  and  men,  of  difil^rent  lan- 
guages and  manners,  prepared  to  emulate  each 
other  in  defence  of  a  common  country,  and  a  li- 
berty in  which  they  alike  participated. 

On  the  13th  Becember,  the  enemy's  flotilla 
.  gained 'the  Pass  Christian,  and  was  proceedings 
evidently  against  the  IJ.  b.  gun  vessels,  then  at 
anchor  off  bay  St,  Louis.  The  gun- boats  re- 
treated, during  the  night,  to  the  Malhereaux 
Islandp,  Lake  Borgne,  where  wind  and  tide 
ibrced  them  to  remain.  At  ^.-.^  -Sight,  on  the 
15th,  the  enemy  adVaneed  with'42  heavy  launehet 
and  gun  barges,^  mounting  4t  guns,  of  13, 18,  and 
24  calibre,  and  3  light  gigs*  with  1200  miBOy  com" 
manded  by  Captain  Loclwiv 

At  10  minutes  before  11,  A.  M.  he  eommene^ 
«d  an  attack  on  the  fiotilkii  consisting  of  guc^ 


' .  / 


•/   ; 


,*»! 


'¥. 


BISTORT   OF  TUB   MTAV. 


^83. 


boat  No.  5>  5  gutts,  30.  men,  sailing-master  Fer^ 
ris ;  gun-boat  No.  :23,  h  guns,  39  men,  Lieut. 
I^rkeever ;  gun-boat  No.  156,  5  guns,  ^1  meny 
liieut.  Joh«8;  gun-boat  No.  162,  5  guns,  35  men, 
Lieut.  Spedden ;  and  gun-lioat  No.  163,  3  guus, 
31  men,  sailing-master  Ulriclc— total,  25  guns, 
and  182  men;  the  entire  under  command  of 
Lieut.  Thos.  Ap.  Catespy  Jones,  of  boat  156. 

The  sloop  Alligator  (tender)  of  one  4  pounder 
and  8  men,  not  being  able  to  join  the  flotilla,  was 
captured,  before  the  aetion  with  the  gun-boats- 
commenced.       ^  "^     *i;'     ;' 

The  gun-boats  were  taken  in  succession,  and* 
each  boat,  vrhen  taken,  added  to  the  enemy's  line 
-it  attack.  The  aetion  continued  until  40  min- 
utes past  12,  when  the  last  of  the  gun-boats  Mfat 
surrendered. 

Considering  the  immense  disproportion  of  the 
parties,  the  action  was  sustained,  on  the  part  of 
the  Americans  with  a  skill,  bravery,  and  perse- 
verance, unexampled,  even  in  the  most  s[nrited> 
of  the  actions  which  distinguished  the  American 
seamen  in  the  previous  part  of  the  war.  Five 
small  vessels,  ^nd  a  few  men,  maintaining  a  con- 
test for  an  hour  and  a.  half,  against  a  swarm  of 
heavy  barges  and  gun- boats,  which  closed  and 
nearly  surround'ed  them,  was  a  sight  unparallel- 
fed  in  the  annf^s  of  naval  heroism.  The  loss  of 
the  enemy,  in  kifled  and- wounded,  was  estimated- 
by  Lieut.  Jones,  to  exceed  300,  among  whom 
were  an  unusual  quantity  of  officers. 

The  eapture  of  this  flotilla  gave  to  the  enemy' 
a  free  ehtranee  into  Lake  Ponchartrain,  except 
what  resistance  they  might  meet  from  a  smair 
f<i>rt  commanding  the  passa^  of  the  Regolettes. 

The  enemy,  having  gaiiied  the  oemmand  of 
t&e  iakes^  was  enabled  to  effi)ot  a  pasnige  totbe 


4 


i 


^i:.. 


m 


''■-'-I 


-^■<l 


\     •*    ...  ' 

f-      ,'  t   *-' 


>^": 


•  HS^i 


lilSTORX   OB  TPI£  yiAU, 


•        \ 


Mississippi)  at  a  pointf  about  9  miles  from  X<}w  • 
Orleans.  General  Jackson  advanced  dgainst 
him*  determined  to  attack  him  in  his  first  posi- 
tion. The  attack  Mras  made  in  the  night  of  the 
23d  December,  at  half  past  seven  o'clock.  ]t 
vas  commenced  hy  a  fire  from  the  schooner  Ca- 
roline, nvhich  dropped  down  the  river,  in  order 
to  open  on  the  rear  of  the  camp.  This  ivas  tho 
signal  for  Gen.  Coffee  to  fall  on  the  right,  while 
Gen.  Jackson  attacked  the  left  near  the  river. — 
It  resulted  honourably  to  the  American  arms ; 
.but  produced  nothing  decisive.  The  enemy's 
force  amounted  to  about  30Q0  men ;  that  of  Gen. 
JaeksoH  did  not  exceed  1500.  '  The  conflict  last- 
ed an  hour,  and  was  supported  with  great  firm- , 
ness.  Gen.  Jackson  remained  on  the  field  until 
four  o'clock  in  the  morning,,  when  he  took  a  now 
position  two  miles  nearer  the  city  ;  having  lost 
ki  this  affair,  24  killed,  115  wounded,  and  7i 
missing — ^total  218. 

I'he  enemy  succeeded,  on  the  27th,  in  blowinjf;. 
Up  the  Carol]ne,.(she  being  becalmed)  by  means 
of  hot  shot,  from  a  land  battery,  erected  in  the 
night.  On  the  28th,  he  advanced,  with  his 
whole  fbree,  against  Gen.  Jackson,  in  the  hope 
of  driving  him  from  his  position,  and  with  this 
view  opened  a  fire  with  bombs  and  rockets,  at 
the  distance  of  about  half  a  mile.  The  enemy 
was  repulsed,  with  a  loss  of  about  120  men*  The 
Americans  lost  7  killed  and  h^  8  wounded. 

On.  Sunday  morning,  the  1st  January,  i815, 
the  enemy  had  advanced  within  600.  yards  of  the 
American  breast  works,  under  cover  of  nieht 
and  a  heavy  fog,  and  had  ereeted.  the  preceding 
night,  three  dif^rent  batteries,  mounting  in  all 
15  guns,  from  6'»  to  32's.  About  eight  o'clock,, 
ifthen  the  fog  cleared  off;  they  commenced  a  most 


k. 


•.  f 


,.t  .'^''•' 


U18T0RT  OF  THE  WAR. 


295 


tremendous  fire  upon  Ihe  Americans,  liut  it  was 
amply  returned  by  tbcm,  and  a  heavy  cannonad- 
ing was  kept  up,  withont  tlie  least  interval  on 
either  side,  except  that  occasioned  by  the  explo- 
sion of  a  magazine  ia  the  rear  of  one"  of  the 
American  batteries,  and  another  magasine  in 
the  night,  owing  to  the  enemy's  Congreve  rock- 
ets. By  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the 
Americans  had  dismounted  all  the  enemy's  guns, 
except  two.  They  retreated,  during  the  nighty 
to  their  strong  hold,  about  a  mile  and  a  quarter 
from  the  American  camp.  Twice  did'  the'ene- 
my  attempt  to  storm  and  carry  the  American 
batteriies,  but  were  as  often  deceived;  On  New- 
Year's  day,  the  loss  of  the  Americans  was  It 
killed,  and  23  badly  wounded.  That  of  the  en<^ 
emy,  from  the  accounts  of  two  prisoners  taken 
on  that  day,  and  three  deserters  afterwards^ 
must  have  been  much  greater. 

According  as  the  woodsmen  arrived  to  the, 
aid  of  Gen.  Jackson's  army,  they  were  disposed 
of  to  the  best  advantage,  for  the  purpose  of  de- 
fence f  but  these  foro|es  not  being  of  a  very  ef- 
ficient nature,  especially  as  the  men  could  not 
be  all  provided  with  the  necessary  arms,  tiie 
general  could  not  attempt  any  thing  against  an 
enemy,  who  was  thus  left  to  pursue,  undisturb^- 
ed,  his  laborious  operations.  [j'j  ^    . 

During  the  days '  of  the  6th  and  Yth,  the  en- 
emy had  been  actively  employed  in  making  pre- 
parations for  an  attack  on  Jackson's  lines.-^ 
M^ith  infinite  labour,  they  bad  succeeded  on  the 
night  of  the  7th,  in  getting  their  boats  across 
from  the  lake  to  the  river,  by  widening  and 
deepening  the  canal,  on  which  they  had  eflweted 
their  disembarkation. 

Gen.  Jackson  wais  on  the  left  side  of  the  river,. 


•.  •  \^ 


286 


msTOBT  OF  THB  WAB. 


.patiently  waiting  the  attack.  Gen.  Mergap, 
ivith  the  New-Orleans  contingent  \  the  Louisi- 
-ana  railitiay  and  a  detachment .  of  Kentucky 
troops,  occupied  an  entrenched  camp  on  the  op. 
posite  side  of  the  river»  protected  by  strong  bat^ 
;tcrieson  the  bank»  superintended  by  Commo- 
dore Patterson. 

•.  On  Sunday,  the  8tb,  at  6  i-2  o'clock,  A.  Mv 
.the  enemy  began  a  very  heavy  cannonade  upon 
ilie  American  lines,  from  his' batteries  of  IJl.and 
12  pounders,  supported  by  the  musketry  of  ftdOO 
nien,  who  marched  in  close  column^,  and  ad- 
:VaDced  nearer  than  musket  shot  distance  to  the 
entrenchments,  arined  with  rockets,  obuses,  and 
faoines,  to  storm <  the  batteries:  they  directeu 
their  principal  attack  against  the  head  of  th« 
line,  ianked  by  the  riveiry  and  upon  the  left  rest- 
ing upon  the  eipress  swamp,  as  well  as  against 
the  tirailleurs  and  riflemen,  placed  above  the 
said  swamp ;  the  roaring  of  the  guns,  and  firing 
of  the  musketry,  lasted  two  hours  and  a  quar- 
ter ;  the  enemy's  mortars,  although  directed  a- 
gainst  the  centre,  did  no  harm  to  the  troops, 
the  bursting  of  their  bombs  in  the  works  was  of 
no  effiict. :  Two  British  olRcers,  and  one  French 
engineer,  of  the  name  of  Rennie,  who  had  gain- 
ejl.  the  summit  of  the  American  parapet,  (ut 
frontis'gieeefj  was  killed  or  wounded,  and  made 
pHsoners;  (the  ed'gineer  and  one  colonel  was 
killed;)  after  this  terribie  affair,  the  field,  in 
front  of  the  works,  was  strewed  with  British 
wounded  and  killed. 

;    Gen.  Jackson  thus  briefly  details  the  particu- 
lars of  attack.  \      : 

M  In  my  encampment  every  thing  was  ready  for 
action  i  when  early  on  the  morning  of  the  Sthj  the 
enemy)  after  throwing  a  shower  of  bcxnbs  and  Con* 


■«.Xv  ■ 


\'      ' 


UlfTORT  OF  TAB  VfMM^ 


2«r 


gi*eve  rocketSi  advanced  their  columns  at  my  right  , ' 
and  left)  to  storm  my  entrenchments.    I  cannot  speak* 
sufficiently  in  praise  of  the  firmness  and  deliberation 
with  which  my  whole  line  received  their  approach. ; 
More  could  not  have  been  expected  from  veterans ; , 
inured  to  war.    For  an  hour^  the  fire  of  small  arms 
was  as  incessant  and  severe  as  can  be  imagined.-—  - 
The  artillery,  too^  directed  by  officers  who  displayed 
equal  skill  and  courage,  did  great  execution.    Yet  J[ 
the  columns  of  the  enemy  continued  to  advance  with 
a  firmness  which  reflects  upon  them  the  gpreatest^ 
credit.    Twiee>  the  column^  which  approached  me'; 
on  my  Isft,  was  repulsed  by  the  troops  of  General  ^' 
Carrol,  those  of  Gen.  Coffee,  and  a  division  of  tbe^- 
Kentucky  militia,  and  twice  they  formed  again,  and 
renewed  the  assault.    At  leneth,  however,  cut  to  * 
pieces^  they  fled  in  confusion  from  the  field,  leaving  f. 
itcoveredwitfa^  their  dead  and  wounded."      *  y 

Simultaneously  with  the  attaok  on  Gen.  Jack-  i' 
son's  Iinesy  an  attack  was  made  on  the  works  of  0 
Gen.  Morgan.  Had  the  enemy  been  met  wiA ', 
resolution  in  Ikis  attack*  it  must  have  produced  t^ 
his  entire  daitruction ;  but*  onibrtanf^el^r,  tbe  f 
Kentucky  reinforeenionts  ingloriously  fled,  draw-  i 
log  after  tbem>  by  their  example*  the  remainder!. 
of  tbe  forees*  and  leaving  the  batteriea  to  the  -) 
onemy;  not,  however,  until  after  the  gnus  wertff 
spiked.  'While  General  Jackson  was  preparing  l 
to  dislodge  the  enemy  from  the  oaptured  battery* ; 
the  British,  troops  were  withdrawn*  and  the  posf 
re-oecupicd  by  the  Amerieans.    .  1 

The  return,  of  the  killed*  wounded*  and  prison- 1 
ers,  taken  at  the  battle  of  Mac  Prardies  plan-  ij 
tation,  on  the  left  bimk  of  the  Mississippi,  on  the  r 
morning  of  the  8th  January,  1815*  and  five  milei  t 
belo^  the  city  of  New-Orleans*  consisted  of— *  r 
killed*  700;  wonndedy  liQOf  prisonersy  SOfi^-^t 


"/• 


>v:r. 


j  ■  J^.-' 


istal  26004 


•} ■ntf$~-^rw::*iVy^''£S.]p  ^^r-\lr.J" ^r>*';r 


288 


UIITOBT  Of  TUB  YfAM, 


.  Among  the  slaio*  were  General  Sir  Edward 
Packeiihain»  tbe  chief,  and  Gen,  Gibbs,  the  third 
in  command;  Gen.  Keane^  the  second  in  com- 
raandy  was  severe! jr  wounded.  Gen.  Lambert 
succeeded  to  tbe  command. 

His  total  loss,  in  the  different  engagements, 
'  was  not  probahlj  less  than  SdOO ;  and  was,  by 
many,  supposed  to  exceed  4000.  The  loss  to 
the  Americans,  on  the  8th,  on  both  sides •«€  tbe 
river,  was  13 killed,  39  wounded,  and  19 missing; 
total  kifled,  wounded  and  missing,  this  day,  71 ; 
of  this  number  there  were  but  6  ki|l^d».  and  7 
wounded,  io  the  action  of  the  line. 

The  enemy  intended  to  pass  Fort  Philip,  in 
order  to  co-operate  with  the  land  forces  in  tl^ 
attack  on  New- Orleans.  On  the  9th  January, 
at  half  past  3,  P.  M.  the  enemy *8  bomb  vessels. 
opened  their  fire  against  the  fort,  from  4*  sea- 
mortars,  2  of  them  13  inches,  and  2  of  10,  at  so 
great  a  distance,  that  the  shot  from  the  fqrt 
oonld  not  reach  him.  The  enemy's  fire  contin- 
ued with  little  intermission,  and  with  little  in- 
terruption from  the  fort,  during  the  10th,  11th, 
12th,  13th,  14th,  15th,  16th  and  17th.  On  the 
evening  of  the  I7th,  a  heavy  mortar  was  got  in 
readiness,  and  opened  on  the  enemy,  with  great 
effect.  At  day  light  on  the  18tb,  the  enemy  re- 
tired, after  having  thrown  upwards  of  1  upd  heavy 
shells,  besides  small  shells,  from  the  howitzers, 
round  ^hot  and  grape,  which  he  discharged  fVom 
boats,  under  cover  of  the  night.  Scarcely  ten 
feet  of  the  garrison  remained  untou6hed ;  yet 
the  loss  of  men  was  small,  consisting  of  2  killed, 
and  7  wounded.  This  saving  of  men  was  owing 
to  the  great  pains  taken  by  the  officers^  to  keep 
their  men  under  cover. 

AH  the  enemy's  movements^  after  the  action 


/   . 


I  •''iii'iTtiML  i.i'riit'aaLiit' 


HltTOBT  •!  TUB  WTiB. 


ta$ 


•f  t|ie  Sill  of  JftMatry,  wera  ealovlated  to  tMure 
hit  retreat*  tbonld  luob  prove  neoei tary,  at  ap- 
pearanoet  then  ladieated  that  it  woaid.  Their 
iBtentioo  waty  howevery  matlied  hj  a  menaeiog 
attitude,  at  if  preparing  for  a  renewal  of  the  at* 
taelK  on  Jaoliton't  line,  lliey  had  ereeted  bat* 
teriet  to  cover  their  retreat,  in  advantageout 
pofitiont,  firom  their  original  eneampment  to  the 
ItaTtu,  through  whieh  they  entered  lalte  Bourg- 
ne.  The  eannon  plaeed  on  these  batteriet  eould 
have  raked  a  portuing  army  in  every  direetion. 
The  tituationof  the  ground,  through  whieh  tliey 
reUred,  wat  proteeted  by  oanals,  redoubti,  en- 
trenohmentt,  and  iwampt  on  the  right ;  and  the 
river  on  the  left. 

Id  thit  ttate  of  things,  Jaokson  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  fhowing  his  prudence,  at  he  before 
proved  hit  eourage,  and,  by  uniting  both  ^iiali- 
(ietf  perfected  the  general.  Since  the  action  of 
ibe  8th,  the  artillery,  on  botti  tidet  of  the  river, 
watrconttantly  employed  in  annoying  the  enemy. 
Ah  attempt  to  ttorm  his  batteriet  would  have 
nKtfiiltfced  great  tiaughter  amone  the  Americans, 
tieen  donbtful  of  tiaooeas,  and  might  possibly 
luive  induced  the  enemy  to  delay  his  departure. 
It  wat  therefore  I'esolved  by  Gen.  Jaekson  to  te- 
eyre  the  advantage  obtained,  with  the  least  pos- 
sible lost  or  havard. 

All  hope  which  the  enemy  had  of  reducing 
fort  Philip,  |iad  vanished ;  and  on  the  night  6i 
the  18th  they  precipitately  decamped,  and  re« 
fumed  to  their  ihipping.  leaving  behind  them  80- 
of  their  wounded,  1*  peces  of  heavy  artilleryf 
and  an  Immente  numbered  ball,  htfving  dosttoy^ 
td  much  of  their  powder. 

Mr.  Shieldt,  purser  in  the  navy,  wrot^lettert 
•n  the  16th  and  17th  of  January,  to  Mr.  NUety 

as 


ih* 


t90 


BIITOBT  Off  THl  fVAB. 


4>fBahiiilore»  contftioing  much  information,  from 
vhioh  the  fbllowinc  ii  extraefed : 

(<  The  day  after  the  gun-boatt  were  ukcn,  I  wai 
•eiitdown  under  a  flag  of  tnice»to  ascertain  the  fate 
of  our  ofiicera  and  ment  with  power  to  negotiate  an 
exchange^  especially  for  the  wounded.  But  the  en- 
emy would  make  no  termi--they  treate4  the  flag 
with  contempt)  and  myself  and  the  aur^on»  who 
was  with  me»  as  prisoners,  until  the  ISthinst.  He 
lias  now  lowered  his  tone,  and  begs  the  exchange 
that  we  olTered.  Defeat  has  humbled  the  arrogance 
of  the  enemy,  who  had  promtted  kit  Moidiera  Jbrty- 
eight  hourt  fdUage  end  rafdne  qf  the  City  <(f  J\fevi' 
Crleantir 

On  the  authority  of  judge  Poindexter,  it  is 
'  stated,  that  <•  the  watch-word  and  eountersign 
of  the  enemy,  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  was 
BEAUTY  and  BOOTY.  Comment  is  unneoes- 
,aary  on  these  signifieant  allusions  held  out  to  a 
lleentious  soldiery.  Had  victory  declared  on 
their  side,  the  scenes  of  Havre  de  Grace,  of 
Hampton,  of  Alexandria,  and  of  St.  Sebastians, 
voulf?,  without  doubt,  have  been  re-acted  at  N. 
Orleans,  with  all  the  unfeeling  and  brutal  inhu- 
manity of  the  savage  foe  with  whom  we  are  con- 
tending.'' 

Thus  ended,  in  disgrace  and  discomfiture  to 
the  enemy,  an  expeditioli  which  occupied  seve- 
ral months  in  its  preparatipn,  and  was  compos- 
ed of  at  least  10,000  troops,  drawn  from  al- 
most every  part  of  the  world,  where  the  Bri- 
tish had  garrisons  or  soldiers.  Nothing  was 
left  undone  to  secure  the  occupation  of  an  im- 
mense provin9e,  and  the  command  of  a  riv? r  ex- 
tehding  thousands  of  miles  through  the  most 
Jpertile  countries  in  the  world  ;  and  oh  which  se- 
veral of  the  United  States  depended  as  am  outlet 
and  market  for  tlicir  produce. 


J  ■■■• 


llfirORT  or  THE  WAR. 


36i 


That  a  permanent  ooeupation  of  New-OrleaM» 
and  the  state  of  Louisiana^  wai  intended,  ean 
scarcely  bo  doubted.  Tio  Ikot  that  revenue 
and  other  civil  olHoorir  to  reside  at  Ifew>Or- 
leaniy  were  on  board  the  fleet*  is  ftsuflleient 
cvidenoe  of  this  fiiot»  as  well  as  it  is  of  the  cer- . 
faint^  with  which  victory  was  counted  on ;  nor 
h  this  rendered  doubtful^  by  the  oireumstancef 
that  the  battle  was  fought  after  the  treaty  of 
pcaee  was  ratified  by  the  British  government.^ 
The  expedition  against  New-Orieans  was  plaa- 
ned'  long,  before  tue  signing;  of  peace,  and  at  a 
time  wbea  the  wavering  and'  quibbling  policy  of 
Eugland  induced  the  American  commissionera 
at  Ghent,  to  write  to  their  government,  «  that 
no  hopes  of  peaee,  as  likely  to  result  from  it^ 
(the  negotiation)  conld  bo  entertained." 

From  an  oiBaial  account,  it  appeared,  that 
the  number  of  men  under  command  of  Gleneral 
Jackson,  and  actually  engaged  against  the  en- 
emy, on  the  8th  January,  amounted  to  4,698. — 
The  enemy's  for<^,  by  his  own  aeoount,  exceed- 
ed 10,000.  .   ^^  V^vW^ri      .. 

By  an  article  in  a  Jamaica  paper,  of  the  Sd 
DeeetRber,  it  was  stated,  that  the  expedition 
then  prepared  to  go  against  the  United  States* 
under  command  of  Sir  Alexander  Coehrane,  and 
Mfvf.  Gen.  Keane,  (the  same  that  aDterwards  en* 
tered  the  Mississippi',)  consisted  of  1  ship  of  80 
guns,  »  of  74,  3  of  £0, 1  of  44,  0  of  88,  2  of  S6« 
9  of  32,  3  of  16,  2  of  14,  and  3  of  6  guns— Total 
28 ;  carrying  1084  guns,  besides  a  gteat  num- 
ber of  cutters,  transports,  ke. 

On  the  2iBt  Jan.  Oeln.  Jackson  directed  an  ad« 
dress  to  be  publicly  read  at  the  head  of  each  of 
the  corps  composing  the  lines  near  New-Orleans. 
It  must  have  been  a  diflionlt  and  delicate  task  ta* 


r 

'\l 

- 

m 

-V.'-  ■ 

i.    It 

■  ' 

ii'l 

- 

:'^l 

11 


'  A< 


P^ 


HlirMKT  O^  THE  wm. 


\ 


do  justiee  to  individuals^  where  all  aeted  so  welly, 
proving)  in  the  general's  words*  «  that  a  rampart 
orhigh  mimied  men  "is  a  better  dcfeneey  than 
the  most  regular  foHiiioation.*^ 

This  address  contained  the  following  empha'tt- 
eal  paragraph; 

**  Reasoning  always  from  false  principles  thejr 
(the  enemy)  expected  little  opposition  from  men 
whose  officers  even  were  not  in  uniform,  who  were 
Ignorant  of  the  rules  of  dress,  and  who  had  never 
been  caned  into  discipline— &tal  mistake !  a  fire  in^ 
cessantly  kept  up,  directed  with  calmness,  and  with 
unerring  aim,  strewed  the  field  with  the  brave  uf^ 
cers  and  men  ofthe  column,  which  slowly  advanced, 
according  to  the  most  approved  rules  ojf  European 
tactic*,  and  was  cut  down  by  the  untutored  courage 
of  the  American  militia.  Unable  to  sustain  this  gaU 
ling  and  unceasing  fire,  some  hundreds  nearest  the 
ehtreiichments  called  for  quarters,  which  was  grant* 
ed— the  rest,  retreating,  were  rallied  at  some  dis- 
tance, but  only  to  make  them  a  surer  mark  for  the 
grape  and  cannister  shot  of  our  artillery*  which, 
without  exaggeration,  mowed  dovm  vfhoie  ranks  at 
tvery  discharge  ;  and,  at  length,  they  precipitately 
retreated  from  the  field/' 

The  following  offiecrs  and  volunteers  are  par- 
ticularly noticed  by  the  general:  Generals  Cof- 
fee, Carroll,  Adair,  De  Flanjac,  Tillere,  Mor- 
fan,  Humbert,  (aeting  as  a  volunteer,)  Mexican ; 
'ield  Marshal  Don  Juande  Anavar^  (volunteer;) 
Colonels  ttoss,  D.yer»  Gibson,  Elliot,  M<Rea, 
Perry,  De  la  Ronde,  Haynes,  Piatt,  Anderson, 
(killed,)  and  Adjt.  Gen.  Col.  Butler ;  Lieut. 
Col.  Lauderdale,  filled;)  Majors  Hinds,  Blan- 
^ohe*  Carmac,  St.  Geme,  Nicks,  Chotanl,  Davis, 
Hampton,  Tatnni,  Lacalliere  de  la  Tour,  and 
La  Caste  and  Oagajn,  eommanding  two  eorps  of 
colonred  men;   Captains  Baker^  Humph  revs, 


:-r-.:>' 


;2^, 


r  •; 


aiSTOBT  OF  TUfi   WAR. 


m 


Savar^y  Bea1>  Ogden,  Lewis,  LiviogstOn,  Lefe- 
bre,  Pianehftrdy  SmUh,  Cr i*iiBa>  Mahon,  (kiUed») 
Pace,  (killed*)  and  the  brothers  Lafitte  and  Do* 
miniquey  and  Belluehe,  f fiarratarians ;]  Lieti- 
tenants  MiCleiian,  (killed,)  Dupy,  Spoils,  Kerr, 
Alexis^  Crawford,  (killed,)  and  Leach ;  Com- 
modore Patterson,  Captain  Henley,  Lieutenants 
Norris  and  Growly,  and  Midshipman  Erasmus 
Watkins,  of  the  navy ;  Aids-de-eamp  Thos.  D« 
Butler,  Johniteed,  Livingston,  Duncan,  Grymes, 
Duplessis,  and  De  Castera;  Doctors  Kerr  andi 
Flood ;  Judge  Lewis,  (volunteer ;)  and  Mkivt^it 
Chauveau,  Hiriart,  Latrobie,  Gilbert,  Bosquety» 
and  Decoin.  i 

Several  desperate  characters,  citizens  of  tlie 
United  States,  as  well  as  foreigners,  natiyei  «f 
different  countries,  had    associated  themselfofi 
into  a  band  of  pirates,  under  the  ehief^  Lafitte* 
and  had  taken-  up  their  residence  in  the  islaiiiii 
of  Barritariaruear  the  mouth  of  the  Missfssi; 
The  government  of  the  United  States  caused 
unlawful  establishment  to  be  broken  up.    Thaf 
expedidon  against  the  Barritarians,  took  posses-- 
sion  of  all  the  piratical  vessels,  their  prizes,  and 
a  considerable  quanv  ky  of  arms  and  prdperty, 
without  opposition,  on  the  16th  September^  lS14;f 
The  vessels  thus  taken^  consisted  of  six  sehoo*! 
ners,  and  one  felucca,  cruisers  and  iirizes  of  th^  ^ 
pirates,  one  brig,  a  prize,  and  2  armed  schooners^ 
both  in  line  of  battle  with  the  armed  vessels  of 
the  pirates*    The  establishment  on  shore,  which, 
was  also  taken  possesston  of,  consisted  of  about  i 
40  houses.    The  pirates  had  mounted  on  th^ein 
vessels  20  pieces  c^cannon,  of  different  calibres, 
and  their  number  consisted  of  between  800  and 
1000  men,  of  all  nations  and  colours.    The  ex- . 
E«dition  against  the  pirates  was  under  command 

z  « 


tf '. 


'',yr..ff| 


■If 


vi 


r-i  -fc:    ■.  ^*  • 


soil 


HIST«ST  OS  THE  WAK. 


of  Com.  Patterson,  of  tho  nuTj,  haying  on  boanl 
a  detaehment  of  land  troops^  under  command  of 
Col.  Boss. 

■^  The  ^arritarian  pirates  took  part  in  the  de- 
fence of  New-Orleans)  against  the  Itritishy  and 
-were  both  active  and  scrYiceable.  It  was*  also, 
satisfactorily  ascertained,  that  they  had,  previ- 
ous to-their  dispersion,  reftised  an  alliance  with 
the  British,  rejecting  the. most  seducing  terms 
of  invitation.  Induced,  by  these  considerations, 
and  at  the  recommendation  of  the  general  as- 
sembly of  the  state  of  Louisiana,  the  President 
of  the  Um.ted  States  granted  to  such  of  them 
as  aided  in. defence  of  New-Orleans,  a  full  par- 
don for  all  ofl^nces  aeainst  the  laws  of  the  Unitf 
^'  States,  committed  pretious  to  the  8th  Janu- 

.Jc.^he  enemy,  after  being  defeated  near  New- 
^tt^ansi  turned  his  attention  to  the  state  of 
Georgia ;  and,  from  appearances,  intended  a 
'Wilt  to  Savannah.  The  unprepared  state  of 
Georgia,  and  the  dreadful  character  of  the  en- 
emy, causled  a  great  alarm  among  tho  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  state;  f>  1^  u  V 
On  the  llth  January,  1815,  the  enemy,  to 
iho  fiumber  of  15^0  or  3000  men^  effected  a 
landing  on  Cumberland  island.  On  the  13th> 
!ltoint  Potro  was  carried  by  storm ;  and,  on  the 
following  day,  St.  Mary's  capitulated,  in  con- 
Bcqucnee  of  a  flag  sent  from  the  inhabitants  of 
the  town.  The  enemy  evacuated  Point  Petre 
and  St.  Mary's,  the  2ist  January,  after  burning 
the  barracks,  and  blowing  up  the.  fort.  Had  the 
enemy  attempted  Savannah,  he  would  have  met 
a  reception  similar  to  that  experienced  at  New- 
Orleans.  No  people  ever  turned  out  more  gen- 
erallyy  or  with  more  alaeriiy,  thaD  the  men  of 


UIITORV  OF  THB   ^AE. 


s»«> 


tery  part  of  the 


the  news  of  peaee,. 


Georgia.  The  militia,  in 
state*  were  in  motion,  wlien 
and  retreat  of  the  enemy,  reaehed  them.  \Vhile 
the  enemy  watmarehing  against  Point  Petre». 
Capt;  Massias,  of  the  1st  U.  S.  rifle  eorps,  at  the 
head  of  60  men,  attempted  to  oppose  104)0,  oom* 
mitted  considerable  ha?oe  among  the  enemy, 
and  retreated,  with  tha  loss  c^  1  killed,  4  woand- 
ed»  and  0  missing. 

The  fortress  of  Mobile,  within  the  limits*  ot 
the  purchase  of  LouisiaMi,  had  been  retained  by 
the  Spaniards,  notwithstan^Bng  its  pnrehase  by 
the.  United  States.  The  war  between  Great- 
Britain  and  the  United  8tate%  rendered  it  ne- 
cessary to  oeeopy  this  place,  lest'it  shoald  fali 
into  the  possession  of  the  enemy.  On  the  15th 
April,  181S,  General  'Wilkinson  appeared  before 
it,  at  the  head  of  a  respectaUe  force ;  wheOf  the 
garrison  being  -summoned  to  surrender,  the  Spa- 
nish troops  were  immediately  embarked  for  Pen- 
saeola ;  and  Mobile  taken  possession  of  by  the 
United  States'  troops. 

Pensaeola,  although  a  Spanish  post,  was  not 
properly  entitled  to  the  eharaeter  of  neutral.-^ 
The  conduct  of  the  Spanish  gi»vemor  lefl  no^ 
doubt  as  to  his  attaehment  to  the  British*  and  ' 
his  hostile  disposition  toward  the  United  States. 

Pensaeola  ^as  an  asylum  for  hostile  Indians ; 
at  Pensaeola,  they  were  armed^  provisioned,  and 
paid.  Pensaeola  was  a  depot  of  British  arms, 
a  home  for  traitors  to  the  United,  States,  and  a 
plaoe  of  rendezvous  for  every  ally  of  the  enemy,, 
whether  white,  black,  or  red. 

As  soon  as  the  war  in  Europe  was  likely  to^ 
end,  and  Britain  at  liberty  to  direct  her*  whole  ' 
fbree  against  the  United^  States,  the  understand- 
ing witE  the^  governor  of  Florida^  beeame  lest 


■    1 

■HI 


# 


it96 


HISTORY  OF  TKE   WAB. 


..  '  K 


niaskedy  and  the  Britiih  officers  boldly  dated 
their  public  acts  from  **  Head-HuarterBf  Pensa- 
eola.*^ 

It  wasy  under  these  circumstanees^  determin- 
ed to  attack  the  British  at  their  Aeadr^tiarter^, 
and  to  storm  the  town*  although  defended  by 
strong  batteries,  and  supported  by  seren  armed 
British  ?essel  in  the  bay.  On  the  7 tb  Novem- 
ber, 1814»  the  attack  was  made,  under  the  com- 
mand and  direetion  of  Gen.  Jackson.  The  fol- 
lowing  animated  report  of  the  assault,  was  made 
by  Oenaral  Jackson,  in  a  letter  to  Governor 
Early :      . 

*'  I  entered  sword  in  hand,  with  about  SOOO  brave 
followers,  in  the  iac6  of  Spai^h  batteries,  and  a 
British  fleet  of  7  sail,'  anchored  abreast  and  opposite 
the  town.  The  English,  by  btrigue  and  base  false- 
hood,'induced  the  Spaniards  to  abandon  the  works 
commanding  thfe  harbour,  entered  them  and  blew 
them  up,  otherwise  they  would  have  &Ilen  a  sacri- 
fice to  their  own  plans.  When  this  took  place,  the 
iieet  being  at  liberty  to  go  out,  did  jo  ;  and  I  evacu- 
ated the  town,  leaving  the  Spaniards  favourably  im- 
pressed with  our  conduct,  and  disgusted  with  their 
British  friends." 

.  Fort  Bowyer  was  closely  besieged  b^  land  and 
water,  on  the  8tb  February,  1815,  by  a  very 
large  force  of  the  enemy.  The  garrison  con- 
sisted of  860  men,  including  officers,  commanded 
by  Lieut.  Col.  W.  Lawrence.  The  enemy  ad- 
vanoed  by  regular  approaches,  and  was  within 
eertain  musket  shot  of  tbe^  parapets  of  the  fort, 
on  the  land  side,  when  the  earrisOn  was  surren- 
dered, ontbe  12th,  by  capitulation. — ^Tbere  were 
but  few  lives  lost  on  either  side. 

On  the  24th  February,  6  barges  of  the  enemy 
psroeiededup  the  river  St.  Mary'8>  with.a  vi«w 


^ 


JI19T01IT  OF  THE  WAR* 


fW 


to  buro  the  uiilU  belongiDg  to  Mr.  A.  dark.—,' 
They  were  opppsed  by  a  few  patriots  from  the 
Florida  shore^  when  the  boais  taeked  about  to 
retreat ;  at  this  moment*  about  8Q  men  attacked 
them  IVom  aa  ambush  on  the  opposite  shore.— 
The  enemy  was  thus  placed  between  two  fires^ 
which  continued  to  gall  him  until  he  readied  a 
part  of  the  rivert  where,  by  keeping  the  eentre« 
he  was  beyond  the  reach  of  the  ftre  from  (lOth 
shores.  The  enemi^  lost  upwards  of  100  men. 
The  Americans  had  only  one  man  wounded. 

The  U.  S.  ship  President,  Com.  Decatur*. sail- 
ed on  a  cruise  from  New- York,  the  14th  Janu- 
t^ry,  1816.  The^  ship*  in  going  over  the  bar* 
grounded,  and  sufibred  so  much  in  consequenee* 
aa  evidently  to  affect  her  sailing;  and  was  the 
cause  of  her  subsequent  capture^  by  a  superior 
force  of  the  enemy.  At  5*  A.  M.  on  the  Ifitby 
the  President  fell  in  with  the'enemy's  tquadron* 
consisting  of  the  Majestic*  razee ;  Endymion, 
Pomone*  Tenedos*  and  Despatch  bi*ig.  The 
injury  done  to  the  President*  when  she  found- 
ed off  the  Hook,  prevented  her  outsailing  the 
enemy's  fleet.  The  Endymion  (mounting  My 
guns,  Vb  pounders,  on  the  main  deck)  havinc  ap- 
proached within  gun-shot*  commenced  a  nriDg 
at  5,  P.  M.  more  with  a  view  to  delay  than  to 
try  strength  with  the  President.  The  latter* 
however,  was  enabled  to  bring  her  guns  so  fkr 
to  bear,  as  to  silence  the  Endymion*  and  to  put 
bar,  by  8  o'clock*  fully  out  of  combat*  so  much 
crippled*  that  she  could*  with  great  difficulty*  be 
worked*  or  kept  afloat.  The  near  approach  of 
the  other  ships,  obliged  the  President  to  aban- 
don a  vessel*  that  must*  if  not  supported  by  her 
consorts*  have  surrendered.  The  Pomone  and 
Tenedos*  oame  up  and  engaged  the  Presidgit  at 


i 


■M 


•# 


£398 


BISTORT  OF  TBB  WAB. 


\ 


It. . 


\-i 


the  taiqie  tSnie,  the  Mi^stio  Mas  alio  witbhi 
gun-shot.  It  being  useless  and  Imprttdent  to 
<^ogAge  so  overpowering  a  foroe.  Com.  Deoatur 
struek  bis  flagy  and  went  on  board  the  Bf ajes- 
tioy  where  be  delivered  his  sword  to  Capt.  Ilajs» 
the  senior  officer  of  the  sqnadrony  who  politely 
returned  it.  The  wrKten  parole  granted. to 
Com.  JDeeatttr»  specified  his  having  surrendered* 
the  President  to  a  British  squadron;  thus  si- 
leneine  those  who  wished  to  have  it  iinderstoodf 
that  the  CoDimodore  struek  bis  flag  to  a  single 
ship.  The  prize  money,  arising  from  the  cap- 
ture of  the  President*  was  divided  among  tue 
erews  bf  the  s^adron,  by  which  she  was  cap«> 
lured. 

The  loss  on  board  the  enemy  conld  not  be  as- 
eertained ;  that  of  the  President  consisted  of  2^ 
killed*  and  50  wounded.  Among  the  killed,  were 
Lteikenants  Babbit,  Hamilton,  and  Howell. 
V  tkimiAodore  Decatur,  in  his  official  report* 
il^te  that  <f  a  considerable  number  of  his  killed 
and  wounded -was  from  the  fire  of  the  Poikione; 
and  that  the  Endymionhad  on  board*  in  addition 
to  her  ovrn  crew,  1  lieutenant,  1  master's  mate, 
and  60  seamen*  belonging  to  the  8a]turn$  and 
when  the  action  ceased,  was  left  motionless  and 
iiniiMiiageable,  uiltil  she  bent  new  sails,  rove  new 
rigi;iiig,  and  fished  her  s^rs  $  nor  did  she  Join 
the  squadron  until  six  hour^aflcr  the  action,  and 
three  hours  after  the  surrender  of  the  Presi- 
dent.*' 

i'  The  IJ.  8.  fMgate  Constltntioii,  Capt.  Stewart* 
sailed  from  Boston,  in  Deeember,  1814.  l¥hen 
ofl^  Madeira,  on  the  evening  of  the  20th  Febru- 
ary, 1815*  she  fell  in  with  his  Britannie  m^{es<yN 
ships  Cyane  |ind  Levant*  which  she  oaptnredj 
after  an  action  of  40  minutes..  F?i?<-r 


m.: 


*-; 


BISTORT  OT  THE  WAS. 


S99 


The  Cyane  Is  a  fHgate  built  shipy  mounting 
34  carriage  guns*  yiz.  22  32^ponnd  earronades 
on  the  gun-deok,  8  18-pound  earronades  on  the 
quarter-deck*  2  18-pound  earronadesy  and  2 
long  9'8»  on  the  forecastley  vith  a  complement 
of  180  men.  The  Levant  mounted  21  carriage- 
gunsy  yii.  18  32-pound  carronadcB*  2  long  9*99^ 
and  a  shifting  12-'pounder9  on  the  top-gallant 
■forecastle*  with  a  complement  of  166  men.  - 
The  enemy's  vessels  suffered  severely  In  spars* 
trigging,  and  sails.  The  Constitution  received 
little  injury*  having  but  4  men  killed*  and  10 
^rounded.  The  Cyane  had  7  killed*  and  17 
wounded ;  the  LeVant*  9  killed*  and  17  wounded. 
On  the  12th  March*  the  Constitution  and  her 
prizes*  fell  in  with  three  BrlUsh  frigates.  TSie 
frigates  kept  together ,  in  chase  of  tm.  Constitu- 
tion* lest*  by  separating  they  might  be  captured 
in  suecesaion.  The  Constitution  outsailed  and 
escaped  the  enemy's  squadron ;  the  Cyane  arriv- 
ed at  New-Tork ;  and  the  Levant  was  attacked 
and  taken  by  the  Brituh  squadron*  In  the  bar-; 
bohr  of  Porto  Praya*  in  the  Island  of  St.  Jago, 
in  Violation  of  the  neutrality  of  the  port*  and 
contrary  to  ,the  laws  of  nations.  The  Constitu*. 
tion  arrived  safely  In  the  United  States. 

On  the  19tfa  Jnly*  1815*  the  U.  S.  brig  of  war 
Syren*  ^  16  guns*  was  captured  after  a  chase 
of  11  hours*  by  his  Britannic' majesty's  frigate 
Medway.  During  the  chase  the  Syren  threW: 
overboard  all  her  guns*  ^boats*  anohors*  cab)es>. 
and  spars. 

On  the  25th  May*  1815,  the  President  of  the 
United  States  informed  Congress*  that  his  ma- 
jesty the  Emperor  of  Bussia*  had  ofllbred  big 
mediation,  in  order  to  facilitate  a  peace  betwe^oiri 
Great-Britain  and  the  United  States^  iliat  ue, 


.! 


I 


.-.J 


K; 


Boo 


HI8T0BT  «V  TBB  WAX. 


w 


^ttev  wa«  Moepted  by  the  President,  and  that 
three  citizens  had  been  eommlssioneid  to  treat 
aeeordingly. 

On  the  meeting  of  Congress  in  December  fol- 
lowing, the  IVesident,  in  his  message  to  both 
houses;  informed  them,  that  Great-Britain  had 
declined  negotiating  under  the  mediation  of 
Russia. 

Notwithstanding  this  refusal  of  the  British 
goTcmment,  to  aeeept  the  Russian  mediation, 
the  British  ambassador,  at  the  court  of  St.  Pe- 
tersburg, directed  a  letter,  in  September,  to  the 
Russian  government,  intimating  a  desire  to 
treat  immediately  with  the  American  plenipo- 
tentiaries. 

liord  Castlereagh,  secretary  of  state  to  his 
Britannic  mi^esty,  enclosed  a  eopy  of  the  above 
note  in  a  letter  Of  the  4th  November,  to  the 
seeretary  of  state  of  the  United  States,  at  the 
city  of  Washington,  proposing  that  the  two  go- 
vernments would 'enter  into  direct  negotiation* 
for  a  termination  of  the  war,  on  terma  that 
would  be  mutually  advantageous ;  and  that  the 
negotiations  would  be  entered  into  at  Gotten- 
burg  or  London.  The  proposition  was  prompt- 
ly acceded  toby  the  American  government,  ix- 
ingon  Gottenburg  as  the  plaoe  of  negotiation. 

The  senate  eonfirmed,  on  the  19Uk  January, 
1814,  the  nomination^  l^  the  President,  of  John 
Quincy  Adams,  James  A.  Bayard,  Henry  Clay, 
and^onathan  Russell,  as  'ministers  to  treat  for 
peace  with  British  commissioners  at  Gotten- 
burg. It  was  afterwaird  agreed,  that  the  treaty 
diould  be  held  at  Ghent. 
''  So  indeoi^te  and  equivocating  was  the  coa- 
diiot  of  British  ministers,  that  many  persons 
doubted  whether  any  commissioners  would  be 


BI8T0BT  M  THK  VfAM. 


401 


«ppotn^  on  the  part  of  Britain  ;  aadi  "whtn 
appointed,  it  wai  pretty  generally  believed  that 
the  appointment  wai  merely  pro  format  without 
any  intention  to  agree  to  reasonable  tcmn  of 
peaoe. 

The  British  goyemment  appointed,  as  their 
eommissionersy  £ord  Gambler,  Henry  Goulbani, 
Esq.  and  William  Adams,  Esq.  These  person- 
ages arrived  at  Ghent  ihe  6th  August. 

At  the  first  meeting  with  the  Ameriean  eom- 
missioners,  terms  were  offered  on  the  part  of 
England,  so  degradinp;  and  offensive  to  the  United 
States,  that  it  was  impossible  to  aeeept  them  $ 
and,  as  some  of  them  were  offered  in  the  form 
of  a  $ine  qua  non,  there  remained  not  a  hope  of 
%  speedy  negotiation  of  hostilities. 

The  news,  when  arrived  in  the  United  States, 
roused  at  onoe,  the  pride  and  the  energy  of  the 
nation  ;  and  produced  an  union  of  sentiment,  that 
presaged  future  glory  and  suecess. 

It  was  now  evident,  that  the  negoeiations  at 
Ghent,  hung  on  those  then  pending  l^fore  a  eon- 
gress  of  the  ministers  of  several  potentates,  as- 
sembled at  Vienna,  for  settling  a  general  peaee 
in  Europe. 

It  is  easy  to  ooncelve,  that  the  task  to  be  per- 
formed by  the  eongress  at  Tienaa,  was  diffieult. 
"Wrapped  up  in  state  secrecy,  and  influenced  by 
state  intrigues,  the  eourse  of  negociation  at  Vi- 
enna, was,  in  a  great  degree,  withheld  from  the 
publio  eye.  The  continued  armaments  of  Eu- 
ropean powers,  and  the  military  parade  with 
which  the  Duke  of  Wellington  appeared  in  Bel- 
gium, even  before  the  Emperor  of  Elba  eeascid 
to  be  a  pensioner  of  Louis  XVIII,  led  to  sus- 
picion, that  the  rights  of  European  sovereirns 
must  be  settled  by  a  new  effusion  of  the  Mood  of 
their  subjects.  a  a 


ii 


I 


ill  i. 


J  ■.  i 


? 


w' 


!!l 


«^ 


SOS 


ftllTOBT  Ot  TRS  WAB. 


\/ 


'"'^hftteTer  motive  may  hare  inilaeMed  the 
Britiih  goTeromenty  k  is  eertain*  that  a  very 
ludden  ohanif^e  of  tone  wai  produced  on  then* 
part.  Tlie  oonseqaeDee  w^9,  that  a  treaty  ^ 
peaee,  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United 
8tatet9  was  sinied  at  Ghentf  the  34th  Dtoeember» 
18149  by  Lord  Gambier»  Henry  Qoulbonniy  and 
William  Adams»  at  oommissionert  on  the  jiart 
of  England  |  and  by  John  Quiney  AdamBy  J,  A. 
Bayara*  Henry  Clayt  Jonathan  Russell,  and  Al- 
bert Gallatin,  as  eommissioners  on  the  part  of 
the  United  States  ;  ratified  at  London  the  38th 
of  the  same  month,  and  ratified  at  the  city  of 
IVashington,  on  the  17th  Februaiy,  1816. 

The  terms  of  the  treaty  being  considered 
honourable  to  the  country,  and  satisfactory  to 
the  citizens,  their  ratification  was  followed  by 
the  most  general  and  enthusiastio  joy,  accom- 
panied by  illuminations,  &e.  &e.  in  every  part  of 
the  union. 

Measures,  early  as  possible,  were  taken  to 
-bi'ing  liome,  and  restore  to  their  country  and 
friends,  a  great  number  of  Amerioan  prisoners, 
confined  in  the  depots  in  England.  Among 
these  were  many,  who,  havings  Men  impressed, 
snd  forced  to  serve  the  Briiish  government  for 
nany  years  before  the  war,  had,  on  that  ocea- 
iion,*  ri'fused  to  fight  against  their  oountry  and 
friends ;  and  were,  in  eoOseqiienee,  treated  as 
prisoners  of  war,  although  net  taken  in  time  of 
war.  or  in  arms. 

An  unfortunate  event  prevented  many  of  rhe 
vnhappy  prisoners  fVH>m  revisiting  their  country  ; 
^r  sent  them  to  it,  with  marks  of  British  bar- 
baritv,  which  will  remain  on  them  for  life. 

On  the  tfth  April,  1816,  Capt.  T.  G.  Short- 
ltiid>  keeper  of  the  prison  of  Oartnoori  having 


^/ 


«■: 


Ruei^oed  the 
Lhat  a  Tery 
eed  OD  thenr 
a  treaty  of 

the  United 
1  Dteeember^ 
iilbenrny  and 
on  thejMirt 
idamsy  Ju  A* 
Belly  and  Al- 

the  part  of 
on  tbe  3Sth 
t  tbe  city  of 
L8i6. 

>  considered 
tisfaotor^  to 

followed  by 
joy»  aecom- 
Dvery  part  of 

re  taken  to 
country  and 
in  prisonerif 
nd.  Ameng 
I  impressed^ 
ernment  for 
n  tbat  ocaa- 
oountry  and 
u  treated  al 
a  in  time  of 

many  of  (he 
leir  country  ; 

Britifb  bar- 
»r  life. 

T.  G.  Sbort- 
noori  having 


llIfTOET  01  THS  WAS. 


SOS 


dlieoTered  a  imall  hole  in  one  of  the  inner  walle 
of  I  he  piiNOn*  made  it  a  pretext  for  drawing  out 
the  army  agninst  tbe  prisoners.  The  alarm  bell* 
inMlead  of  cuutting  the  prisoners  to  retreat  to 
their  prison)**  induced  many  of  them  to  press 
forward  to  discover  the  cause  :  this  was  certain- 
ly more  a  proof  of  innocence,  than  of  any  pre- 
medhated  attempt  to  escape  from  a  place  whence 
tjiey  must  have  been  soon  released  without 
tlie  risk  of  life.  The  measures  taken,  by  or- 
der of  Sbortland*  previous  to  the  massacre,  wera 
calculated  to  prevent  the  return  of  tbe  priso- 
ners who  were  thus  left  the  more  exposed  to 
the  Are  of  the  soldiery.  While  thus  embarrass- 
ed, they  were  charged  by  the  soldiery ;  and 
while  running  fh  great  confusion  to  discover  tbe 
few  doors  left  open  for  their  escape  into  the  prir 
fon,  they  were  fired  on  by  the  centinels  on  the 
walls.  In  this  manner,  seven  were  killed,  and  GO 
wounded.  A  committee  of  the  prisoners  infesti- 
gated  this  transaction,  and  gave  in  their  report.* 
all  tbe  appearance  of  a  foul  and  premeditated 
murder* 

Hie  British  government  in  order  to  lessen  this 
stigma  on  its  officers,  agreed  to  have  an  investi- 
gation made  by  two  persons^  one  to  be  appoint- 
ed by  tbe  British  minister,  the  other  by  tbe 
American.  F.  S.  Larpent  was  appointed  by  the 
former,  and  Charles  King  by  the  latter.  The  ro  • 
port  of  these  commissioners  certainly  softened 
the  apparent  culpability  of  Shortland^  but  tbe 
eorreetness  of  tben*cport  has  been  denied  by  the 
prisoners,  not  by  any  wilful  representation  of  the 
commissioners,  but  from  a  want  of  sufBcient  in- 
formation or  inquiry. 

The  sobjeot ,  of  Dartmoor  is  referred  to,  for 
the  purpose  of  directing  tbe  readers  to  tbe  period 


n 


I 


*..  <■ 


■'*r.  'm 


\i 


!• 


*  ): 


JM 


BIITOBT  Off  TUB   WAB. 


•f  the  miiiaerei  but  without  the  iDtentien  of  ev- 
Virioff  into  a  detail,  which  the  pretest  Hmiti  wiil 
Bot  allow. 

Althoush  a  ratified  treaty  of  peaee  had  been 
exehangeuy  at  Wathingtoitt  od  the-  17th  Febru- 
ary* jet  by  iti  artlolei*  eaptnrei  made  In  diitant 
■eat  were  allowed,  until  eertain  periodt  afler  the 
date  of  ratifleation.  The  eventt  predueed  during 
thh  time,  proved  both  honourable  and  advaata- 
ceout  to  the  Amerieani. 

At  half  patt  iO,  A.  M.  the  3Sd  March,  1816, 
Captain  Biddle,  oommanding  the  United  States' 
sloop  Hornet,  beins  off  the  north  end  of  the  is- 
land of  Tristan  d^Aeunha,  diseorered  a  sail  to 
the  southward  and  eastward.  He  immediately 
made  sail  for  her*  *At  one,  40,  P.  M.  an  aetion 
eoromenoed.  After  a  well  fouriit  engagement, 
of  3d  minutes,  the  enerov  eried  for  quarters,  and 
was  taken  possession  of  by  the  vietoriout  Ameri- 
can. She  proved  to  be  his  Dritannio  m%|esiy^i 
brig  Penguin,  mounting  16  S2-ponnd  earronades, 
2  long  twelves,  a  13-ponnd  earronade  on  the  top- 
gallant ibrecastle,  with  swivels  on  the  oapstern  in 
the  tops  :  she  had  a  spare  port  forward,  so  as  to 
fight  both  her  long  guns  of  a  side,  l^e  enemy 
had  a  complement  of  183  men,  13  of  whom  were 
supernumerary  marines,  from  the  Medn^ay,  74. 
After  the  prisoners  were  removed,  and  some  pro- 
visions and  stores  taken  from  the  Penguin,  she 
was,  by  order  of  Captain  Biddle,  scuttled  and 
sunk,  her  crippled  and  riddled  state  rendering  it 
unadvisable  to  attempt  sending  her  to  the  United 
States. 

<(  This  ship  (said  Captain  BidcUe,  in  his  official 
report,)  did  not  receive  a  single  shot  in  her  hull,  ner 
any  material  wound  in  her  spars ;  the  rigging  and 
sails  were  very  much  cut ;  but  having  bent  a  new 


/ 


BItrOBY  Of  THE  WAB« 


305 


•et  of  tftiUf  and  knotted  and  secured  our  rigging,  wo^ 
are  now  coropletelj  read]r«  in  all  respects,  for  any 
tervice.    We  were  eight  men  short  of  complement, 
and  had  ninO  Upon  the  sick  list,  the  morning  of  the  , 
action.** 

liie  enemy  Mknowledged  a  loss  of  fourteen 
kilMy  and  twenty-eight  wounded ;  but  Mr. 
Mnyo,  who  was  in  eharce  of  the  prize,  said  that 
the  number  was  eertainiv  greater.  Capt.  Dick- 
enson, the  eommander  ofthe  Penguin,  was  killed, 
and  the  boatswai»f  seeond  lieutenant,  purser,  and 
two  midsbipmen,  wounded.  Each  of  the  mid- 
ibfpmen  loit  a  leir. 

The  offieers  of  the  Penguin  relate,  tbat,  dur- 
ing the>  aotion  with  the  Hornet,  a  thir^-two 
pound  shot  oame  in  at  the  after-port  of  the  Pen- 
guin, on  the  larboat-d  side^— carried  away  Bias 
kg8»  killed  the  powder  boy  of  the  division,  eap- 
sised  the  opposite  gun  on  the  starboard  skle,. 
passed  through  the  port,  and  <«  sunk  in  suUen  si- 
lenee  to  the  bottom." 

The  war  between  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain,  left  a  fhTourable  opportunity  for  the  pi- 
rates of  AfHoa,  to  prey  on  the  persons  and  pro- 
perty of  the  Amerieans.  The  Algcrines  declared 
war,  and  fitted  out  a  fleet  accordingly. 

Having  given  in  pages  21  and' 22,  the  list  oT 
the  American  Tizry,  as  it  stood  at  the  eOiti-^ 
meneement  of  the  war  with  (pireat  Britain,  it 
may  be  considered  interesting  to  know  how  the- 
Lilliputian  nsiry  stood  at  wi  end  of  the  war^. 
whieh  was  to  <«  Mow  it  ^Ut  of  the  water."  The- 
following  is  the  naval  list  of  shipping,  in  Aprils 
1816.  Those  Tosiels  wiboee  names  are  marked 
(*)  are  such  as  remain  of  the  naval  force  before  . 
ttewar.  Tbo^e  marked  ($)  are  building.  Those* 
narked  in  BaUp09  lueh  as  fere  captured  fr^nnn 


rrr-'v»? 


tfi'^'if     •^-^■ii-tu: 


a^.Mii 


HVJfei^*"^-' 


t  ^ 


W 


\  : 


111 


■^>" 


305 


1, 


UlSTOHT  OF  TH£   WAB. 


\[ 


the  British,  during  the  war.  The  rest  hove  beeir 
built  or  purchased  during  the  war.  Those  that 
are  l»Iank  have  no  armament  at  present.  . 


Kata,       Jfamu  of  Vtud$. 

74  Ship  ludependenc* 

1\ 

74 
44 
44 
44 
44 
44 


86 
M 
96 


S4 
H 

90 

9S 
16 
16 
16 
16 
16 
18 


W«bkigto« 

Fruklin 

New-Orleuu  ^ 

Ghipp«w«  6 

Ouemier«,  m%  d 

Qnitod  StatM* 

Java 

CoBilMatioal* 

Plattiburgh  § 

Superior 

GoMtclbtMM^ 

GoBfrCM'* 

JHoMdmiaM 

Mohawk 

Coi{^anM 

CyatM 

Baratoca 

John  Adam* 

General  Pika 


ihip 


Mni 
Romel* 
■  Waq> 
Peacoek 
Ontaiio 
Erie 

LouidaDt* 
18  Brig  JeffenoB 
Jonei 
M»rviiit 
Ktagara 
Lftwrcm* 
Detroit 


18 

18 
16 
16 
16 
16 
If 
16 
16 
16 
If 
M 
16 

» 

It 

% 

411 
S 


Eagle 

Bvlph 

CnlppewB 

QuefnCAwMie 

Batanat 

liiOMt 

Boxer 
Troap 
oiiOa 

Entarprtea* 
Flaaibaa* 
Firellv 
BmtIT 


Commnndcrt' 

Com.  Wflt-Bainbtidgo 
OapU  L  ChauKoy 


Cam.  S.  Decatur 
J.  Shaw 
O.  H.  Perry 
a  Slewart 


<*>•.;/ 


0>  CtordoB 
O.  Morru 
L.  Waniagti 


B.  TrcodurA 
W.  W.  Crane 


BoaloD 

do  ,  i 
Philadelphia 
Baoket*!  Harbor 

do.       do. 
BoHoa  ! 

MedtteiraMaB 

do. 
BodoB 
Backet'i  Ha(ho«» 

do.       do> 


^f 


/.*w 


W.  Stewart 
J.  Biddle 
J.  Blakely       ■» 
L.  RoHgera 
J.  D.  Elliot 

0.  C.  B.  fhompwtt 

H.  T.  Wodicj      . 
J.  Pewu 


'^^^^lledUerraaeaii 
'    'ModUerraocaii 
^  do. 

Sacket't  HaHbor 
I^e  Chawphla 
Mow^York         ,^,c 
Lake  Oha»plafa»  ' 
MedMenwMaa 
„         .,       .  Backoff  Harbor 

Medkerraaeaa 
MewTorfc  . 
♦  At  Sea 

Mew-Tork 

ModiterraoaaB 

do. 
Vew<4)rl«iBW 
Backel'i  Harboop- 

deu       da. 
At  Baa  x, 

bke  Efi* 


#>';< 


*'.'*V 


■  %%■■ 


*:i 


y.  «;1m« 


J.  lortar 

T.  Brawa 

I»  Kearmr     ' 
J.  B.  MidMlMm 
O.  W.  Ro^lgen 
T.  aaabia 


Ghent 


CoMon/a 
Etna,  bomb 
17  8chr.  'ficonderog^ 
1^:;.^^  liOMUch 

fipitfirt 


A.  B..  WadMMrtk. 
£.  Altiit.       ^ 


'    do.    do. 
"       Lake  Ohaflip1ai» 
Backet'a  HatboHi 
VcwTork 
Erie,  Pen. 
]r«w-Tork 
U^  Ghainp]aiaAi& 
Kew-Tork 
Bavannab 
Backet't  Harbovr 
»twT«iii 

do. 

do. 

d* 
Erie,  PaBn. 


■  V:  \ 


rr  :. 


Tlfknt 

A.  J.  SaDw 


.-♦.  -•* 


■^■■^ 


Erie,  Peao 
Do.     do. 
VawKkleani    < 
Mke  OKaatpteia 
WeetlSMSi 


■I 


unrotLt  01  *rmL  wut 


m 


JtaiM.      lfamt$  of  Ft$tdK         Ctmiumdiri. 


Id 

9 
9 

7 
7 
7 
8 
5 
0 
4 
4 
S 
S 
S 

s 

8 
2 
1 
1 
1 
3 
1 

12 
It 
It 
7 
6 
< 
5 
2 


Coreii 

Toa  BottliM 

iilli|iimr 

Rokooke 

firebrand 

SurpriM 

CoH|U«lt 

HoriMt 
Lvax    ' 
lur  Anwkaa 
Hdan 


W.  Chaoacajr 

Hoiima 

K  D.  Coailey 


r. 


Forrtft 
Oiik«kw( 


Atp 

Forcvpiw 
Udhr  of  tk«  Lake 

Ooramor  Toi^kia 

Raagar 

OMwio 


W.AlkiuM 


'j 


RaTrn 
Slaop  PraiMaot      $ 
FificA  * 

CA«»       ;; 

CUBCl     ' 

Ticklarf 


2  Oattv  Allen 


S 
2 
2 
2 
3 
1 
1 
1 
1 


KeUk 


Bofiom 

Boxer 

Neltla 

Viper 

Centipede 

Ludlow   '- 

Wilmet^^  , 

Alwyn 

Bdfud    . 

BpitAre 

VentuTiM^ 

Venseanra 


it:' 


j'jft'. 


•  ;..*; 


^,;;_j^.$Qii  4..,;» 


V:SiS 


Do. 
Erie,  Penn. , 
Ke#-Vork      '     't-^-*^^ 
Kew-YMk 
Wilainrton,  N.  0. 
Kew*OriaaM 

Do. 
Sacket't  Harbour 
WathiiMtoa,  D.  C. 
New-York 
Saeket't  Harboor 
Neweaitle,  Dek 
Norfolk 
Baltiaora 
Erie,  Ffenn. 
J9ackat>*  Burboiir 
Dot  do. 

Do.    '     do. 
BalliBom 
8aok«^»  Barbenr 
Irii^  Femk 
fiaeket^  Ibrbonr  .. 
Do.  do.  ' 

Lake  Okaaphin 
Bo.  do. 

Bo.  do. 

Do.  do.  « 

Doi  do. 

Fkiladelpbia 

Do. 
Kew-Orleaie 
Lake  Ckamplaia 
Do.  dok 

Do.  do. 

Do.  do.  >^ 

Do.  do.  »' 

Do.  do.        ..    > 

Do.  do.  > 

Do.  do.      I 

-Do.  do.         ■     > 

Do.         dfc,--  :c  ..' 
Borfelk         's.v  .-;■'■ 
Mew-Tork 
Do. 


n 


Bargev  from   Mo.  1  to  15,  incIuiiTe,  on  lak*  OntatiO) 
gum,  and  now  at  Sacket*i  Harbour. 
-  The  old  gunJxwti  kart  been  chiefly  lold.  .     i, 

It  would  be  a  curious  question  in  politieal  arith-  - 
inetity  to  determine  what  number  of  Ameriean 
ships  and  their  ratos^  would  be  suffioient  to  des- 
troy the  British  navy,  tailing  the  naval  events  of 
the  late  war  as  a  scale  by  which  to  calculate  ;  and 
how  long  it  would  take  to  provide  the  necessary 
number  of  vessels,  taking  the  increase  of  the  aavj^ 
daring  the  war>  as  a  ratio  ? 


r- 


>u. 


WltV, 


LIST  OF  AMERICAN  PRIZES, 

"Which  have  aiTiyed»  or  been  <f  satisraetorily  ac 
counted  fdr»  **  With  the  name  of  tl^f^  ^ifMeers, 
&c.  and  the  number  captured  bj  eaelt  te»sel, 
daring  the  war. 


AbMUino  of  BMtoa  ,  ^ 

v.  S.  ihip  Adunt  ;      .  ; ' :   ?' 

Boat  Alert,  of  BwliB|too,  Lake  Obempliio 

Alexamrer  of  SaMBi 

Alfrcl  offiilen 

Amelia  of  Bahteort  ■-.  r  *. 

America  of  fialcn 

Anaconda  of  New-Yofk 

Argo  of  Ballimore  •  " 

U.  8.  brig  Avgu*  ^. 


10 

A'- 


:,'*i,  cnlR[. 


Ar^ua  of  AvtoB 
Atian  of  PJiiUaelpllfar 
Avon  of  BmIoii 


Baltimore  of  Baltimoris 
Belloim  of  eUiadelpbia 
U.  8.  Bar»  „      _   . 
Black  Joke  of  Neir>Tork 
Bhkehr  of  Boiton 

Boat*  from  Buffaloe  -,  « 

Bnituf  of  BoiloA  '  ^ 

BuckikiB  of  Salem 

BankerhiUdrMewTerk  *■ 

Cadetiof  Saleai 

Caroline  ef  Bakimfir*  v. 

Catharine  of  Boiton 

Chauplaiv  PriTate«r  # 

Gkarlct  Stewart  of  B«toB  ' 

Obaneur of  Beltimera  'x.    V 

Chaoncey^'e  aqnadrqa  on  Lake  Ontario, 
U.  8.  fr%aU  Ghenpcake 

Oomet  of  Baltimore  ,, 

U.  B.  frigrt*  CoogroM 
U.  B.  frkate  CouMttutioB  * 

Cuftom  IIotta»:B»rg«  ^ 

])art  of  Portland  .     J' <  •       ,     ,     ■ 

w~9adt  of  Poftiaad  _    .A-^  th^  m  ,s«»ayj  "^^ 
David  Porter  of  N.Tork  _     ;,i,*;^r   . 

David  Porter  of  Boatoa  J^n  -^Utii  ,  :»*  */ 

Decatvr  of  Newmirypoct 

ecatnr  of  Qharleitoa  . 
lUeoTBakiiBore 
4,    Dtamoiid  of  Bdltimor* 
~     Diouede  of  Saiete 

pivMed  we^Uhof  Hew-TwH  ,  j^r  ^^f^if. 


*^a' 


■'>^^'jB 


B 
,» 

S 

s 

9 
» 
4 
8. 


yM^ 


I 
i 
I 

1 


M 


& 


^iirfiin  of  BaltioMre 

DdlpbinofSdeai  (j  %p.    %mm 

Dromo  of  Beaton  , 

Bagle  of  CliwleatoB  ' 

:k  V.  8.  brig  BnterpriM 
^    V.  8.  frigate  Eites 
7    KHes  Jimier 

Xxpeditionof  Bahifflore 

9wT»dwof  6*lea 


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BltTOmY  9m  TBB  WAB. 


3«t 


Fiiry  of  fedliMn 
FuMofSalrai 
Pun  of  ffcomMtowa 
Flirt  of  ll.T0rk 
Fir 

FoxofSakn  < 

Foi  of  BakiiBon 
Foi  of  PortuBoath 
Fnnkliaof  N.  York 
U.  8.  iloop  of  war  Frolic 
Frolic  of  Salom 
Fall  blooded  Yankoo 
Oalloway  of  M.York 
GcDoral  Arautronj  of  New-Tork 
OoMral  Stark  of  Sakon 
QcMfsl  pMlnaaof  Saka 
Olobo  of  Baltimoro 
OotMHor  of  Boiloa 
Govonor  Tomphiai  of  V .  York 
GoTerHor  M'Koaa  of  Philadolphia 
OoTomor  Fluatr  of  f  oituBoutk 
Orampni  of  Bahimorw 
GraadTinkofSalaa 
Growlor 
v.  8.  Ow-boati 
Harp/  fjf  BalluMrt 
llarrMoa  of  Battiaoro 
Hawk  of  WatUnctoB  V.  C 
Haiard 

Hennr  OaiMerofN.T. 
BmM  of  M.  York 
Hero  of  M.  York 
Bore  of  Nowkom 
Horo  of  8toBio|ioB 
HKk  Flrec  of  Bakimtr* 
.Hollw<!rH.  York 
Boat  HoUtir 

V.  B.  ikMp  of  war  Horact       ./,  ;^ ' 


U'it. 


cc 


Roater 

IdaofBakiaiorv 

Ida  of  BoatoB 

lodMitry  of  Lrui 

lodintry  of  lUrblekead 

loduftry  of  Balcm 

Inoof  Boitoa 

Inmcibk  of  N.  York 

iBTincihlo  of  Salem 

Jack%  Farotfite  of  N.  Yu^ 

Jacob  JoDOf  of  Boitoa 

Jamet  Xuoroe 

Jeffenon  of  Salem 

Joel  Barlow 

Jonquil  of  N.  York 

John  of  Salem 

John  and  George 

Kemp  of  Baltimore 

Lady  Madison  of  Wilmington,  N.  0> 

On  Lake  Superior 

On  Lake  Huron 

On  Lake  Ohamplain 

Lark  '  .         i. 

Lawrence  of  B<d(imora 

Leach  of  Salem 

Leader  of  Providenee  R.  L 

Iicaoder  of  Providence 


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Leo  of  Baltimore 

Leo  of  Boston 

Liberty  of  Baltimore 

Little  George  of  Boston 

Letter  of  M aroue,  of  Wilmington 

Lovely  Cordelia  of  Charleston 

Lovely  Lass  of  Charleston 

Lyon  of  Marblehead 

l^acedonian  of  Baltimore 

Macedonian  of  Boston 

Macedonian  of  Portsmouth 

Madison  of  Salem         -^vi-  i 

Marengo  of  N-  York    '    ,»^v 

Mammoth  of  Baltimore 

M^Donough  of  Rhode-Island 

M'Donough  of  Boston 

Mars  of  Norfolk  .  ^3^ 

Mars  of  N.  York 

Mars  of  New-London   ' 

Mary  Ann  of  Charleston 

Matilda  of  Philadelphia 

Midai  of  Baltimore 

On  Mobile  Bay 

Morgiana  of  N.  York 

Montgomery  of  Salem 

IC,Micy 

Ned  of  Baltimore 

Konpareil  of  Charleston 

No'nsuch  of  Baltimore 

U.  S.  schooner  Nonsuch 

Orders  in  Council  of  New-Y6rk 

Orlando  of  Gloucester 

Patriot  of  New- York     ^ 

Paul  Jones  of  New-York 

Perry  of  Baltimore  .  »    ■   24 

Perry's  squadron  on  Lake  Eri6  9 

U.  S.  sloop  of  war  Peacock  .15 

Patapsco  of  Baltimore  "»^^^ 

PikeofBalUmore  ''*"'*^''*i^2« 


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miTP^T  OF  TUB  WAB. 

Pilot  of  Baltimore  ,  i  > 

Polly  of  Salem 

Portsmouth  of  Portsmouth  K.  £(• 

Poor  Seilor  of  Charleston 

Prince .  of  Neufchatcl 

Rambler  of  Bristol 

Rambler  of  Boston 

Ranger  of  Boston  -nitii.V 

Rapid  pf  Boston  ,r,  j  . 

Rapid  of  Charleston  "  r 

U.  S.  brig  Rattlesnake 

Rattlesnake  of  Philadelphia 

Regulator  ,;t<i1jj.i 

Reindeer  of  Boston 

Resolution  of  Boston 

Retaliation  of  New>>YQrk 

Revenge  of  Baltimore 

Revenge  of  Norfolk 

Revenge  of  Itiiladelphia 

Revenge  of  Salem 

Revenue  Cutters 

Roger  of  Norfolk      ^. 

Roger  oi  Baltimore  .  ,  /' 

Roila  of  Baltimore 

Commodore  Rodgers's  sqUftdfQB 

Rosamond  of  19'ew-York, 

Rossie  of  Baltimore 

Rover  of  N.  York 

Row-boat  privateer    ' 

Sabine  of  Baltimore 

At  Sandy  Creek,  by  riflemen 

Sarah  Ann  of  Baltimore 

Saranac  of  Baltimore 

Saratoga  of  N.  York 

Scourge  of  N.  York      '^ 

Saucy  Jack  of  Charteston 

Shark  of  N.  York 

Sine-qua*non  of  Boston 

Sqorpion  of  Salem 

Siro  of  Bi|ltimore 


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7 
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miTOBT  01  TUB  WAB. 


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S 
% 

■  9 
1 

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t 

r 

9 


Snap  Dragon  of  Newborn  N.  C. 

Snowbird  of  Salem 

Sparrow  of  Baltimore 

Spark  of  N.York 

Spy  of  New-Orleans 

Surprise  of  Baltimore 

United  States'  brig  Syren 

Syren  of  Baltimore  ^^>*f^'- 

On  the  St.  Lawrence 

Teazer  of  N.York 

Terrible  (boat)  ^'  * 

Thomas  of  Portsmoutll' 

Timothy  Pickering 

Tom  of  Baltimore 

True-blooded  Yankee 

Two  Brothers  of  New-Orleant 

Two  Friends  of  Massachusetts 

Tuckahoe  of  Baltimore 

U.  S.  frigate  United  States 

Ultor  of  Baltimore 

United  We  Stand  of  N.  York 

Upton  (a  prize  ship) 

Viper  of  N.  York  '  snumn 

Viper  of  Salem  >•« 

Warrior  of  N.  York  ^  ^^-t'^-^l  '  - 

U.  S.  ship  of  war  Wasp  y^wtfVllo  ( ||         M 

Wasp  of  Baltimore  t/mxnnM'}^m»*yil 

Wasp  of  Philadelphia         ^^i^T  ^^i '%  %n'- 1^ 

Washington  of  Portland  1         '^ 

Whig  of  Baltimore  ^  |4  « 

Yankee  of  Bristol  R.  ViM-i^,^^^  #*^^  J^^ 

Yankee  (smack)  ijli*^*  l^t*.     f       -.'if 

Yorktown  of  N.  York   y:oif|i  1^.0 1  )g#>i»M  >i 


4 

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9 

1 

19 

1 

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9 
1 
9 


York  of  Baltimore  /  .>^    » jgiuirf *i<-J 

Young  Eagle  of  N.  York  Y  H  i)fc '«'v  H 
Young  Teazer  of  N.  York*  ''*'«^  ?J->^  /^w/>I 
Young  Wasp  of  Philadelphia  n  ^»V<* 

Sundry  yesselS)  names  not  known    16  ' 

-     Total/— 1634' 


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■*f'V;;*  f^^  "^^-i^r  ni.'f'v^-^/'*  "^rfT'-^^-/' 


APPENDIX. 


:<S-i..^ 


HISTORY 


1 1 


OV  THB 


AL6ERINE  WAR. 


'■^-.' 


Tab  Dey  or  Algpers  took  advantage  of  the 
war  between  England  and  the  United  Slates,  a« 
a  convenient  opportunity  to  attack  the  trade^  and 
to  capture  the  citizens  of  the  latter  power.  Oa 
the  23d  February)  1815,  the  following  confiden- 
tial message  from  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  was  delivered  to  both  houses  of  congress :  • 

To  the  Senate -and  ^ouBC  <if  Refire»entative4  qf  the 

United  Statet, 

'  Congress  will  have  seen,  by  the  communication 
from  the  consul  generar  of  the  United  States  at  Al*i 
giers,  laid  before  them  on  the  J  7th  November,  1813, 
the  hostile  proceedings  of  the  Dey  against  that  func- 
tionary.   These  have  been  followed  by  acts  of  more  ^, 
overt  and  direct  warfare  against  the  citizens  of  the  ' 
Vnited  States  trading  in  the  Mediterranean^  some  of 
whom  are  still  detained  ia  captivity,  notwithstanding 
the  attempts  which  have  been  made  to  ransom  them, 
and  are  treated  with  the  rigour  usual  on  the  coast  of  - 
Barbary. 

'  The  consideratioTrs  whiok  rendered  it  unnecessary 
and  unimportant  to  commence  hostile  operations  on 
the  part  of  the  United  States,  being  now  terminated 
by  the  peace  with  GtreatoBritain,  which  opens  the  .. 

ji  b 


'  f-ii 


314 


APPBNUIIC. 


\ 


prospect  of  an  active  .and  valuable  trade  of  their 
citizens  vrithin  the  range  of  the  Algerine  cruisers,  I 
recommend  to  congress  the  expediency  of  an  act 
declaring  the  existence  of  a  state  oTwar  between  the 
United  States  and  the  Dey  of  Algiers  ;  and  of  such 
provisioris  as  may  be  requisite  for  a  vigorous  prose- 
cution of  it  to  a  successful  issue. 

JAMES  MADISON. 
fVaahingtoniFeb.^Si\&\5. 

A  law  of  congress  %vas,  after  the  usual  forms, 
passed,  empo^eriog  the  President  to  take  mea- 
sures for.  tL&  protertion  of  the  commerce  and 
seamen  of  the  United  States ;  and  also  to  employ 
^he  pnblic  armed  vessels,  and  tp  conimission  pri- 
vate armed  vessels,  to  act  ofTensively  against  tlie^ 
vessels,  goods*  effects,  and  subjects  of  the  Dey^ 
olf  Algiers. 

This  measure  was  not  adopted  until  aticr  the 
most  satisfaotoi^  assurances  of  the  hostility  of 
the  Dey,  and  that  he  had  actually  put  an  emU  by 
his  unprovoked  aggressions,  to  the  treaty  sub- 
sisting between  him  and  the  Vnited  States.  In 
July,  1812,  the  Dey  extorted  from  the  American 
consul  general,  a  large  sum  of  money,  in  lieu  of 
a  quantny  of  military  stores,  which  he  reAised  to 
aec«p<!»  l^lsely  alledgingthat  they  were  not  equal 
in  duality  or  quantity  to  those  stipulated  by  the 
r«xisting  treaty ;  and*  then  compelled  the  consul 
llnd  citizens  of  the  United  States  to  quit  his  do  > 
niintons.  On  the  25th  August  following,  file 
American  brig  Edwin,  of  Salem,  was  taken  by 
an  Algerine  corsair,  and  4>arried  into  Algiers,  as 
a  prize.  .  Mr.  Pollard,  of  Norfolk,  being  found 
00  boar4  a  Spanish  vessel*  was  also  detained  as 
a  eitl^wB  of  the  United  States.  Captain  >  Smith, 
the  master  of  the  Edwin,  and  Mr.  Pollard,  were 
mi  oonftned  to  haid  labour:  but  the  rest  of  the 


v  ■  ■• 


X 


i 


AFPBNDIZ. 


Sl» 


cle  of  their 
i  cruisers,  I 
y  of  an  act 
between  the 
and  of  such 
»rou8  prosc- 

IDISON. 

m 

sual  forms, 
» take  mea- 
imerce  and 

>  to  employ 
nisBion  pri- 
against  the. 
of  the  Dey ' 

il  alilcr  the 
hostilHy  of 
t  an  emU  by 
treaty  sub- 
States.  In 
e  American 
y,  in  lieu  of 
e  refVised  to 
re  not  equal 
ated  by  the 
the  consul 
quit  his  dO' 
lo>ving>  tlie 
as  taken  by 

>  Algiers,  as 
being  found 

detuned  as 
itain^^mithr 
oUurd,  were 

rest  of  tlie 


oaptaios,  with  the  exception  of  two  of  them^ 
whow  release  has  been  eflTeoted,  under  circum^ 
stances  not  indicating  any  change  of  hostile  tenr*^ 
per  on  the  part  of  the  Dey,  were  subjected  to  th« 
•well  known  horrors  of  Algerino  slavery.  A» 
effort  of  the  United  States'  government,  to  effeet 
the  release  of  these  citizens,  by  treaty,  and  the 
.ptiyraent  of  a  large  sum  of  money,  had  failed*  > 
There  never  was  a  war  commenced  with  a 
greater  share  of  general  approbation  ;  and  it  re^ 
tnained  a  wonder,  that  one  publio  journal,  (the 
Connecticnt  Mirror)  should  condemn  a  measuM 
wbicli  had  for  its  object  the  releasement  from 
slavery  of  eleven  Ameriean  citizens,  the.paniali* 
ment  of  barbarians,  justly  detested  by  tbe  civili- 
zed world;  and  the  putting  into  glorious  prac* 
tiee,  the  popular  sentiment,  «  miUions.for  de- 
fenee,  but  not  a  cent  far  tribute." 
^  .A  private  letter  from  Lisbon,  dated  dd  May, 
1815,  stated,  on  the  authoiritv  of  advices  from 
Cadiz,  that  tbe  Al^erine  admiral  had  put  to  sea» 
with  a  lleet  eonsistmg  of  4  frigates,  6. corvettes, 
&  brigi,  1  zebec,  1  schooner,  1  galley,  40  gun> 
lioatt,  and  11  bombards,  in  all  66  vessels,  mount- 
ing  463  guns,  and  having  on  board  4745  men ;  the 
supposed  object  was  to  cruise  for  American  tcs- 

S018.  -4  ■        ' t.  •       .'J  i«j^ 

The  force  destined  by  the  United  States,  to^ 
punish  the  cnemyv  was  to  consist  of  the  Inde-^ 
pendence,  74,  Guerriere,  44,  Macedonian,  38, 
Congress  and  Constellation,  36,  Erie,  Ontario, 
and  Epervier,  18,  Chippewa,  16,  Flambeau  an<f 
Spark,  12,  Spitfire  and  Torch,  10,  and  LynXr 
(tender)  1  long  21;  in  all  44  vessels,  carrying 
400  guns.  Some  immaterial  alteration  was  a( 
lerward  maile  In  Uiis  arrangemeot;     .     - 


II 


/■•'■ 


416 


APrfiNDIX. 


<0 


V 


On  the  ISth  May,  1815,  the  United  Stateaf 
sfpiadron,  destined  lor  the  Mediterranean,  sailed 
from  New-York:  It , consisted  of  the  frigates 
Guerriere,  (eoni.  Decatur's  flag  sliip)  captain 
Lewis ;  Macedonian,  captain  Jones  $  Constella- 
tion, captain  Gordon ;  sloop  of  war  Ontario, 
captain  Elliot ;  brigs  Epcrvier,  captain  Downs ; 
Fire  Fly,  Sogers  ;FlaBibeai],]Nichol6on  ;  Spark, 
Gamble;  schooners  Spitfire,  Dallas,  and  Torch* 
Cbauncey. 

This  squadron  was  followed  by  that  under 
command  of.Com.  Bainbridge,  consisting  of  the 
Independence,  74,  sloop  of  war  £rie,  18,  brig 
Chippewa,'  16,  and  schooner  Lynx. 
i  liie  United  Slates'  brigs  Boxer,  Saranac,  and , 
Enterprize  sailed,  in  August,  Cor  Uie  Mediterra- 
nean. The  brig  Fire- Fly  had  sailed  some  time 
previous  for  the  same  destination,  but  was  com- 
jielled  to  return  to  repair  damages  sustained  in  a 
gale.  The  Ontario,  and  some  of  the  light  ves- 
sels arrived  at  Gibraltar  on  the  13th  June,. and 
Commodore  Decatur,  with  the  rest  of  bis  squad- 
ron, on  the  14th ;  and,  on  the  evening  of  that 
day,  all  the  vessels^  proceeded  to  their  destina^ 
tion. 

•   The  following  letters  will  explain  some  of  the 
proceedings  in  the  Mediterranean. 

Copy  0^  a  letter  from  the  American  consul  at  Ali- 
cante, to  the  suecretary  of  state,  dated, 

\^  "1  '  '    *  J  Alicante,  June  21«/,  1815i 

,r  SiR-~I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that,  by  a 
letter  this  moment  received  from  my  vice-consul, 
Nicholas  Brialc,  at  Carthagena,  I  learn  that  the  first 
division  of  our  squadron,  tinder  commodore  Decatur, 
had  appeared  off  that  port,  and  sent  in  an  Algerine 
frigate  of  44  guns  and  500  men,  captured  off  Cape 
de  Gatt,  after  a  sharp  engagement,  during  which  the 


;  . ,     - 

I  ,■  . 

ed  Slatc»' 
ean*  sailed 
le  frigates 
|i)  captain 
Constella- 
r  Ontario^ 
in  Downs; 
in ;  Spark) 
ind  Torohi 

hat  under 
ting  of  the 
9, 18»  brig 

ranac,  and 
Mediterra- 
some  time 

y/M  coro- 
itained  in  a 
)  light  ?eB- 
I  June».and 

bis  squad- 
ng  of  that 
)ir  destina^ 

ame  of  tbe 


nsul  at  Ali- 
ated,         '! 

U)  that,  by  a 
vice-consul, 
hat  the  first 
»re  Decatur, 
in  Algerine 
ed  off  Cat)e 
g  which  the 


jBfTdfim; 


S17 


eommsnder  of  the  Algerioe  was  killed.  Our  lost 
conristed  of  four  men.  The  Commodore  had  sent 
in  s  schooner  for  refreshment^  and  other  necessaries, 
with  which  she  immediately  sailed  for  the  fleet.—- 
The  prixe  must  perform  ten  days  quarantine.  I 
shall  set  off  within  two  hours  for  that  place  in  order 
to  ntake  further  provision  for  the  fleet,  if  necessary, 
and  render  every  other  service  in  my  power— from 
thence  I  shall  have  the  honour  of  addressing  you, 
and  advise  what  further  may  occur. 

With  sentiments  of  the  highest  respect,  I  am,  sir> 
your  most  obedient  servant, 

ROBERT  MONTGOMERY. 
To  the  honourable  the  secretary  qf  atate. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  the  American  consul  at  Cadiz* 
to  the  secretary  of  state,  dated 

,|j[  J  ^ ;  Coneulaie  qf  the  United  StateOf 

Cadiz,  June  27,  1815« 

Si  a— I  have  much  pleasure  in  referring  you  to  the 
sMibjoined  statement,  for  the  interesting  and  impor- 
tant information  it  contains,  which  I  doubt  not,  in  a 
great  part  may  be  relied  on.  The  informant  adds». 
Uiat  about  400  prisoners  had  been  landed  from  the 
prize  frigate,  and  that  but  few  had  been  saved  from 
the  brigt  The  wind  being  now  from  the  S.  W. 
makes  It  probable  that  the  particulars^.of  this  action^ 
from  the  commodore,  will  not  come  to  hand  for  some 
days. 

With  much  respect,  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Scc» 

RICH'D.S.HACKLEY. 
^on*  Jamee  Monroe^  secretary  qf  state* 

A  letter,  of  which  the  following  is  a  eopy,  an- 
nounced the  arrival  of  the  American  squadron, 
at  Gibraltary  aher  a  passage  of  %h  day»b 


»y' 


Copy  of  a  letter  from  Commodore  Decatur  to  the  ^ 
.  secretary  of  the  navy,  (received  via  Norfolk)  -' 
■  dated*         ^  .  > 

B  b  2 


i'\ 


•f 


';r»«' 


•'      I. 


•I-' 


31S 


'  \       APPfiNUIX. 


i 


•         '         United  State9' iht/t  Guerriere, 

Off  Gibraltary  June  ld»  18(5. 

Sir— 'I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  of  our  tr- 
rival  off  thib  place  on  the  15th,  after  a  passage  of  35 
days,  having  previously  coixirnunicatcU  with  Cadiz 
and  Tangiers.  The  Spitfire,  Torch,  and  Firefly, 
separated  from  the  squadron  during  a  gale  of  wind 
on  the  36th  ult.  and  the  Ontario  on  the  3 1  st. 

I  am  happy  to  find  they  have,  with  the  exception  of 
the  Firefly,  all  arrived  ;  the  latter  vessel  I  fear  may 
have  lost  her  spars,  and  have  returned  to  the  United 
States.  From  all  the  information  I  can  collect,  I  feet 
assured,  that  the  Algerines  have  returned  into  the 
Mediterranean.  The  vcssels'that  had  separated  from 
us,  are  now  joining,  and  I  shall  proceed  in  search  of 
the  enemy  forthwith. 

-    I  have  the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully,  &c. 

STEPHEN  DECATUR. 

The  commodore  lost  no  time  m  the  prosecu- 
tion of  his  ohject;  vcaroely  anived  in  the  Medi- 
terranean^  he  commenced  to  pay  tribute  to  the 
barbarians,  as  will  be  best  explained  hy  bis  letter 
to  the  secretary  of  \var>  of  which  the  following 
is  a  copy : 
Mxtract  of  a  letter  from  commodore  Stephen  Deca* 

rur,  t^  the  .secretary,  qf  the  navyy  (received  via 
^    ^orfoikfj  datedi 

"s^  United  States'  ship  Guerriere, 

Off  Carthagena,  June  19,  1815. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  iuform  you,  that  on  the  1 7th 
inst.  off  Cape  de  Gatt,  the  squadron  fell  in  with  and 
captured  an  Algerine  frigate  of  46  ^ur,  and  between  4 
and  500  men,  commanded  by  Rais  Hammida,  who 
bore  the  title  of  admiral ;  she  struck  her  flag  after  a 
running  fight  of  35  minutes. 

"The  admiral  was  killed  at  the  commencement  of 
the  action.  After  the  Guerriere  ^who  from  her  fa- 
vourable position  was  enabled  to  bring  the  enemy  to 
<^Use  Rctioo)  had  fired  two  broadsides, the  enemy}  with 


•^i, 


;.^'-    »i 


> 


•    \ 


APPRNDIX. 


Sit 


\ 


15,  18(5. 
i  of  our  ar- 
isage  of  35 
with  Cadiz 
nd  Firefljr, 
lie  of  wind 

[St. 

xception  uf 
I  fear  may 
the  United 
)Hect,  I  feel 
ed  into  the 
arated  from 
in  search  of 

lly,  &c. 
CATUR. 

le  prosecu- 
I  the  Medi- 
6tife  to  tlie 
y  bis  letter 
9  following 

phen  Deca* 
eceived  via 

srriere, 
19,  1815* 
on  the  17th 
in  >vith  and 
d  between  4 
ntnida,  who 
r  flag  after  a 


encement  of 
from  her  fa- 
he  enemy  to 
enemy,  with 


the  exception  of  a  few  musketeers,  ran  below:  Tho 
Gucrriero  had  four  men  wounded  by  musket  shot, 
which  is  the  only  injury  dune  by  the  enemy  in  this 
aft'iiir. 

"  We  have  406  prisoners  ir.cluding  the  wounded. 
The  prisoners  state  tlial  about  thirty  were  killed  and 
thrown  overboard. 

"  Their  suuadion  is  said  to  bo  cruising  In  our  vi- 
cinity i  five  days  ago  they  were  off  (his  place,  unless 
I  obtain  some  further  intelligence  of  them  by  to- 
morrow, I  shall  proceed  to  the  port  of  Algiers,  in 
Che  hopes  to  intercept  their  rctuni.  For  tlie  present, 
J  have  determined  to  send  tho  prize  Into  Cnrthagena." 

On  the  'iOtli  June,  tho  (Mtmmodoro  oomuiunU 
rated  a  second  victory,  in  u  letter,  in  (he  follow- 
ing; wni'da : 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Commodore  Decatur  to  the 
secretary  of  the  navy,  dated 

United  Statct*  thifi  Gtterrierif  ((jf 

Cape  Palosy  June  30,  1815.   * 

Sir— —I  have  (he  honour  to  Inform  you,  that  en  thtf 
10th  inst.  off  cape  Palos,  the  squadron  under  my  com- 
mand, captured  an  Algerine  brig  of  twenty-two  guns* 
and  one  hundred  and  eighty  men.  After  a  chase  of 
three  hours,  she  ran  into  shoal  water,  where  I  did 
not  think  it  advisable  to  follow  with  our  la^e  %h\p»f 
but  despatched  the  Epervier,  Spark,  Torch,  and  Spit- 
iire,  to  whom  she  surrendered  after  a  short  resistance. 
Twenty-three  men  were  found  dead  on  board.  Wo 
received  from  her  eighty  prisoners,  the  residue  of 
her  crew  having  left  her  in  boats.  Many  of  them 
must  have  beeu  kUled  by  the  fire  of  our  vessels,  and 
one  of  the  boats  was  sunk.  None  of  our  vesselt 
sustained  any  damage,  nor  was  there  a  man  killed  or 
wounded.  This  brig  Is  lafger  than  the  Epervier-— 
was  built  ia  Algiers,  five  years  ago,  by  a  Spt&nish  con- 
structor, the  same  who  built  the  frigate  captured  oii> 
the  17th  inst.  and  is  perfectly  sound.  ji 

I  I](ave  the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully,  8ic. 

STEPHEN  D|:CATUR. 


t  ■• " 


I  < 


,'  iif .;  /  '-^*..j>,^ir.  i. 


MMMMHWMMwiaii 


wmmm^ 


■hmi 


520 


APPENDIX. 


:  Commodore  Bainbridge  arrived  at  Cartbagena: 
early  in  August,  witb  the  second  American  squad- 
ron, whence  he  proceeded  (o  Algiers,  Tripoli, 
and  Tunis,  in  order  to  make  a  display  of  his 
force,  the  respectable  appearance  of  which  could 
not  fail  to  make  a  deep,  useful,  and  it  may  be 
hoped,  a  lastinj^  impression.  Having  performed 
this  service^  the  commodore  sailed  to  Malaga, 
and  thence  to  Gibraltar,  where  he  stopped  some 
time,  ami  reciprocated  compliments  with  the 
British  Commander  in  Chief,  thence  the  squad- 
ron sailed  for  the  United  States,,  and  arrived  at 
Newport  the  t5th  Noirember. 

Commodore  Bainbridge  was  Joined  while  at 
Malaga  by  all  Commodore  Decatur^s  squadron 
eicept  his  own  ship.  It  was  as  gratitying  to  the 
American  as  it  was  probably  mortifying  to  the 
Englishman,  to  see  such  a  fleet,  in  a  British, 
port,  and  that  so  soon  after  the  termination  of  a 
war  which  was  to  have  annihilated  the  «  Lillipu- 
tian navy," 

On  the  arrival  of  the  fleet  at  Gibraltar,  an 
understanding  was  had  between  Commodore 
Bainbridge  and  the  British  commander,  that  a 
salute  of  fifteen  guns  would  be  fired  from  the 
Squadron,  aud  a  like  number  returned  from  the 
fort.  By  mistake  seyentecn  ^uns  were  fired 
from  the  Independence,  the  commodore  immedii- 
ately  despatched  an  officer  to  acquaint  the  com- 
mander of  the  mistake;  but  before  the  officer 
reached  the  commander,  orders  were  given  to 
fire  two  more  guns,  in  addition  to  the  fifteen  al- 
ready fired.  This  circumstance  is  material  only 
as  far  as  it  goes  to  prove  the  distinguished  re- 
spect sho'.vB  to  the  American  flag;  a  respect  fop 
the  proud  fruit  of  determined  valour  and.  con~- 
summate  prudence*v  -  • '     m  »-  .i*v. *.-.... ,v..i.. 


*•  ^ 


APPENDIX. 


3^1 


irthagetiA: 
an  squad' 
,  Tripoli, 
ay  of  his 
licli  could 
it  may  be 
lerformed 
i  Malaga, 
^ped  some 
with  the 
he  squad- 
Li't'ived  at 

I  ^hile  at 
squadron  '. 
ing  to  the 
ing  to  the 
a  British 
ation  of  a 
«  Lillipu- 

traltar,  an 
Dmmodore 
er,  that  a 
I  fr»m  the 
I  from  the 
vere  fired 
'e  im medio 

the  com- 
,he  officer 
$  given  to 
fifteen  a1- 
terial  only 
;uished  re- 
rcspect  foF 

and~  con.- 


The  situation  in  which  the  American  charac^ 
ter  was  about  to  be  placed,  was  truly  envious. — 
A  few  months  after  causing  the  greatest  naval- 
power  in  Europe  to  haul  down  its  proud  flag, 
the  Americans  were  destined,  by  aid  oi'  the  ships 
eaptured  from  England,  to  speali  thunder  to 
those  piratical  monarchs  of  Africa,  to  whom  that 
very  England  was  in  the  habit  of  paying  tribute. 
It  remained  for  America,  infant  America,  the 
country  of  Washington  and  Franklin,  to  break 
up  a  system  which  was,  it'  possible,  more  dis- 
graceful to  the  cWilized  nations  who  submitted 
to  it,  than  to  the  barbarous  states  who  imposed  it. 
But  America,  by  the  use  she  made  of  victory, 
has  gained  for  herself  an  honour,  and  been  rais- 
ed to  a  pinnacle  of  glory,  to  which  no  victory, 
however  splendid,  could  have  raised  her.  The 
favourite  maxim  of  the  nation  was  and  is  «  mil' 
lions  for  defence,  but  not  a  cent  for  tribute,'*-^ 
True  to  this  policy,  she  made  it  a  sine  qua  non 
of  peace,  and  this  being  concluded,  the  humbled 
enemy  was  permitted  to  take  back  those  ships, 
which  were  to  remain  for  ever  innocent,  as  res- 
pected the  great  western  nation.  Which  of  the 
haughty  masters  of  enslaved  Europe  has  ever 
given  such  proof  of  magnanimity  or  of  modera- 
tion in  the  midst  of  victory  so  complete  ?    t*!;f,T 

Commodore  Decatur  arrived  before  Algiers, 
OH  the  29th  June,  and  hoisted  a  flag  of  truce  on 
board  the  Guerriere,  with  the  Swedish  flag  at 
the  main.  A  boat  came  off  with  Mr.  Norderling, 
consul  of  Sweden,  and  the  captain  of  the  port, 
to  whom  the  capture  of  the  frigate  and  brig  was 
conimunicat^'d,  and  to  ivhom  Commodore  Deca- 
tur and  William  Thaler,  Esq.  acting  as  commis- 
sioners to  negociate  a  peace,  delivered  a  letter 
for  the  Dey,  from  the  President  of  the  United 


322' 


AFPfiNDlX. 


'M 


Stated;    and  also  a  note  from  themselves,  of 
II  bieh  the  following  is  a  copy : 

The  American  Commisnonert  to  the  Dey  of  Algiers. 

The  undersigned  have  the  hcnour  to  inform  his 
highness  the  dey  of  Algiers,  that  they  have  been  ap* 
pointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  of  A- 
merica  :  commissioners  plenipotentiary  to  treat  of 
peace  with  his  highness,  and  that  pursuant  to  their 
instructions,  they  are  ready  to  open  a  negociation  for 
the  restoration  of  peace  and  harmony  between  the 
two  countries,  on  terms  just  and  honourable  to  both 
parties ;  and  they  feel  it  incumbe;nt  on  them  to  state 
explicitly  to  his  highness,  that  they  are  instructed  to 
treat  upon  no  other  principle,  than  that  of  perfect 
equality,  and  on  the  terms  of , the  most  favoured  na« 
tions :  no  stipulation  for  paying  any  tribute  to  AN 
giers,  under  any  form  whatever,  will  be  agreed  to. 

The  undersigned  have  the  honour  to  transmit  here- 
with, a  letter  from  the  President  of  the  U.  States, 
and  they  avail  themselves  of  this  occasion  to  assure 
bis'  highness  of  their  high  consideration  and  profound 
jrespect. 

The  eaptain  of  the  port  then  requested  that 
hostilities  shoukl  eease  preceding  the  negotiaUbn, 
and  that  persons  might  be  sent  ashore  to  treat. 
Both  propositions  were  rejected,  the  American 
eommissioners  declaring  that  the  negotiations 
mast  be  carried  or,  on  board  the  fleet,  and  that 
hostilities  as  respected  vessels,  should  not  cease. 
On  the  following  day,  the  Swedish  consul  and 
^the  captain  of  the  port  came  onboard  with  full 
powers  to  negotiate.  The  American  commis- 
sioners produced  (he  model  of  a  treaty  which 
they  declared  would  not  be  departed  from  in  sub- 
stance. Every  attempt  on  the  part  of  Algiers^ 
to  obtain  a  modification  of  it  proved  fmiitless, 
even  the  restoration  of  the  captured  vessels  was 
positively  refused.     Upon  eonsidecation^  how- 


ATFENDIX. 


323 


iselvesy  of 

of  Algiers. 
I  inform  his 
ive  been  ap- 
states  of  A- 

to  treat  of 
ant  to  their 
^ociation  for 
etween  the 
'able  to  both 
hem  to  state 
nstructed  to 
t  of  perTect 
favoured  na- 
•ibute  to  A!- 
igreed  to. 
ansmit  here- 
e  U.  States, 
[>n  to  assure 
ind  profound 

tiested  that 
negotiation, 
re  to  treat, 
e  Ameriean 
negotiations 
^U  and  that 
d  not  cease. 

consul  and 
rd  ^ithfull 
an  eommis- 
reaty  which 
from  in  sub- 

of  Algiers, 
;d  fruitlesst 

vessels  was 
ration^  lioW" 


•ver,  the  American  commissioners  resolved  to 
restore  the  captured  vessels  as  a/avor,  and  not 
as  matter  of  treaty,  giving  the  Algerine  to  un- 
derstand, that  even  this  would  depend  on  the 
sisningofthe  treaty  as  presented.  The  Alge- 
rine captain  then  proposed  a  trnee»  to  deliberate 
on  the  proposed  terms,  the  reply  was  «  not  a 
minute  ;  if  your  squadron  appears  in  sight  be- 
fore the  treaty  is  actually  signed  by  the  dey,  and 
the  prisoners  sent  o(f,  ours  would  capture  them !" 
It  was  finally  agreed  that  hostilities  should  cease 
when  the  Algerine  boat  should  be  perceived 
coming  off  with  a  white  flag  hoisted,  the  Swed- 
ish consul  pledging  his  word  of  honor  not  to 
hoist  it  unless  the  treaty  was  signed,  and  the 
prisoners  in  the  boat.  The  Swedish  consul  and 
Algerine  captain  returned  on  shore»  and  although 
tlio  distance  was  full  five  miles,  they  came  back 
within  three  hours  with  the  treaty  signed,  and 
having  with  them  the  prisoners  who  were  to  be 
released  from  captivity  by  the  terms  of  the 
treaty.  ;*: 

By  the  lerms  of  this  treaty,  the  dey  has 
agreed:  That  «  no  tribute,  either  as  bienniaV 
presents,  or  under  any  form  or  name  whatever,- 
shall  ever  be  required  by  the  dey  ami  regency 
of  Algiers,  from  the  United  States  of  America." 

That  the  dey  shall  deliver  up  to  the  Ameri- 
can squadron  «  all  the  American  citizens  now^^ 
in  their  possession,  amounting  to  ten,  more  or . 
less.*' 

«  A  just  and  full  compensation  shall  be  made 
by  the  dey  of  Algiers,  to  such  citizens  of  the- 
United  States  as  have  been  captured  and  detain- 
ed by  Algerine  cruizers,  or  who  have  been 
forced  to  abandon  their  property  in  Algiers,  ii^V 
violation  of  the  twenty-second  article  of  the 


:\^ 


324 


i.FF:BNDlX. 


I 


!' 


treaty  of  peace  and  amity,  concluded  between 
the  United  States  and  the  dcy  of  Algiers,  on 
the  5th  of  September*  1795." 

«  And  it  is  agreed  between  the  contracting 
parties*  that  in  lieu  of  the  above,  the  dey  of 
Algiers  shall  cause  to  be  delivered  fopthwith  in^ 
to  the  hands  of  the  American  consul,  residing  at 
Algiers,  the  whole  of  a  quantity  of  bales  of  cot- 
ton, left  by  the  late  consul  general  of  the  United 
States,  in  the  public  magazines  in  Algiers,  and 
that  he  shall  pay  into  the  hands  of  the  said  con- 
sul the  sum  bf  ten  thousand  Spanish  dollars." 

«  That  no  citizen  or.  subject  of  either  party,  or 
their  property  if  found  on  board  the  vessel  of 
any  power  with  wjiich  either  may  be  hfreafter 
at  war,  shall  be  detained  or  confiscated  ;  and* 
on  no  pretence,  shall  any  citizen  of  the  United 
States,  be  hereafter  kept  in  a  state  of  slavery  by 
the  dey.- » 

**  Vessels  of  either  of  the  contracting  parties, 
]^utting  into  the  ports  of  the  other*  and  having 
need  of  provisions  or  other  supplies,  shall  be 
furnished  at  the  market  price — and  if  any  such 
yessel  should  so  put  in  from  a  distance  at  sea, 
and  have  oecasion  to  repair,  she  shall  be  at  li- 
berty to  land,  and  re-embark  her  cargo,  with- 
out paying  any  customs  or  duties  whatever,  but 
in  no  case  shall  she  be  compelled  to  land  her 
oargo." 

',  **  That  should  a  vessel  of  either  of  the  con- 
tracting parties  be  cast  on  shore  within  the  ter- 
ritories of  the  other,  all  proper  assistance  should 
be  given  to  the  crew — no  pillage  shall  he  allotv- 

.  <•  The  consul  of  the  United  States  of  Ame- 
viea  shall  not  be  responsible  for  the  debts 
eoDtraeted  by  citizetts  of  his  own  nation,  unless 


.^/-t 


APP£lfDlX. 


325 


ed  between 
Algiers,    on 

contracting 

the  (ley  of 
upthwith  In' 

residing  at 
)ales  of  cot- 
'  Uie  United 
Algiers,  and 
ic  said  con* 
dollars." 
er  party,  or 
le  vessel  of 
)e  ht-reafter 
cated  ;  and,i 

the  United 
f  slavery  by 

ling  parties, 
and  having 
;s,  shall  be 
if  any  such 
anee  at  sea, 
all  he  at  li*: 
largo,  >vith- 
batever,  but 
to  land  her 

of  the  eon- 
hin  the  ter- 
ance  should 
12  he  allow- 

es  of  Ame- 

the    debtd 

tion,  unless 


he  previously  gives  written   obligations   so  to 
do." 

«  That  if  any  obristian  slaves  should  make 
their  escape,  and  go  on  board  any  ship  of  war  of 
the  United  States  that  may  be  before  the  city 
of  Algiers,  they  shall  not  be  required  back  again, 
nor  shall  any  payment  be  required  for  the  said 
christians." 

« That  as  the  government  of  the  United 
States  of  America  has  in  itself  no  character  of 
enmity  against  the  lav/s,  religion,  or  tranquillity 
of  any  nation,  and  as  the  said  states  have  never 
entered  into  any  voluntWy  war  or  act  of  hostili- 
ty, except  in  defence  of  their  Just  rightf)  on  the 
high  seas,  it  is  declared  by  the  contracting  par- 
ties, that  no  pretext  arising  from  religious  opi- 
nions shall  over  produce  an  interruption  cf  the 
harmony  existing  between  the  two  nations  $  and 
the  consuls  and  agents  of  both  nations  shall  have 
liberty  to  celebrate  the  rites  of  their  respective 
religions  in  their  own  houses." 

«  The  consuls  respectively  shall  have  liberty 
and  persoilal  security  given  them  to  travel  with- 
in the  territories  of  each  .other,  both  by  land 
and  sea,  and  shall  not  be  prevented  from  going 
on  board  any  vessels  they  may  think  proper  tu 
visit :  they  shall  likewise  have  the  liberty  to  ap- 
point their  Qwn  drogoman  and  broker." 

«  In  case  of  any  dispute  arising  from  the  vio- 
lation of  any  of  the  articles  of  this  treaty,  no  ap- 
peal shall  be  made  to  arms,  nor  shall  war  be  de- 
clared on  vmy  pretext  whatever  ,*  but  if  the  con- 
sul residing  at  the  place  whore  the  disp^e  shall 
happen,  sh^i  not  be  able  to  settle  the  same,  the 
government  of  tha^  country  shall  state  their 
gi'icvande  in  writing,  and  transmit  the  same  tip 
the  governmeat  of  the  other,  and  the  period  of 

c  0 


4 


)  s- 


f 


^X 


326 


APPBNorx. 


tlivee  months  sball  be  allowed  for  answers  to  be 
returned,  during  which  time  no  hostilify  shall  be 
permitted  by  either  ^larty ;  and  in  ease  the 
grievances  are  not  redressed,  and  a  war  should 
be  the  event,  the  consuls  and  citizens  and  sub- 
jects of  both  parties  respectively,  sliall  be  per- 
mitted to  embark  with  their  eifecis  unmolested, 
on  board  of  what  vessel  or  vessels  they  shall 
think  proper,  reasonable  time  being  allowed  for 
that  purpose." 

^^  « If  in  the  course  of  events,  a  war  should 
break  out  between  the  two  nations,  the  prisoners 
captured  by  either  |)arty  shall  not  bo  made 
slaves,  they  shall  not  be  forc(*d  to  hard  Ial)uur, 
or  other  confinement  than  such  as.nitiy  l>e  ne- 
cessary to  secure  their  safe  keeping,  and  bhall 
be  exchanged  rank  for  rank ;  and  it  is  agreed 
that  prisoners  shall  be  exchanged  in  twelve 
months  after  their  capture,  and  the  exchange 
may  be  effected  by  any  private  indi  vidua!,  legally 
authorised  by  cither  of  the  parties." 

«  If  any  of  the  Barbary  states  or  other  powers 
at  war  with  the  United  States,  shull  capture 
any  American  vessel,  and  send  her  into  any  port 
of  the  regency  of  Algiers,  they  shall  not  be  per- 
mitted to  sell  her,  but  shall  be  forced  to  depart 
the  port,  on  procuring  the  requisite  supplitj  of 
provisions ;  but  the  vessels  of  w  ur  of  the  United 
States,  with  any  prizes  they  may  capture  from 
their  enemies  shall  have  liberty  to  frequent  the 
ports  of  Algiers,  foi'  retreshments  of  any  kind, 
amd  to  sell  such  prizes,  in  the  said  ports*  without 
any  other  customs  or  duties,  than  such  as  are 
customary  on    ordinary   commercial   itnpoi'ta- 

i^  Jf  any  of  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  or 
any  pfFsuns  under  their  protection,  shiiU  have 


Hi- IT 


•aoaaa 


AFFENDIX. 


327 


wcrs  to  be 
ty  shall  be 
I  case  the 
^ar  should 
IS  and  sub- 
all  be  per- 
niiiolcHtedy 
they  shall 
Uowcd  for 

'ar  should 

0  prisoners 
bo  made 

rd  labour^ 
\wy  l>e  ne- 
und  bhall 
is  agreed 
in  twelve 
exchange 
jalt  legally 

lior  powers 
ill  capture 
lo  any  port 
not  be  per- 

1  to  depart 
supplitj  of 
the  United 
»turc  from 
'equcnt  (he 
r  any  kind^ 
ts,  without 
ucti  as  are 
1  importa- 

d  States,  or 
8h;in  have 


any  disputes  with  each  other,  the  consul  shall 
decide  between  the  parties;  and  whenever  the 
consul  shall  reqtsire  any  aid  or  assistance  from 
the  guvoi'nment  of  Algiers,  to  enforce  his  deci- 
sions, it  shall  he  immediately  granted  to  him  ; 
and  if  any  disputes  shall  arise  between  any  citi- 
zt;ns  of  the  United  States  and  the  citizens  or 
subjects  of  any  other  nation  having  a  consul  or 
agent  in  Algiers,  sut;h  disputes  shall  be  settled  hy 
the  consuls  or  agents  of  the  respective  nation ; 
and  any  disputes  or  suits  atlaWf  that  may  take 
place  between  any  citizens  of  the  United  States 
and  the  subjects  of  the  regency  of  Algiers,  shall 
be  decided  by  the  dey  in  person,  and  no  other.'* 
•  <*  If  a  citizen  of  the  United  States  should  kilff 
wound,  or  strike  a  subject  of  Algiers,  or,  on  th^ 
contrary,  a  sub  ject  of  Algiers  should  kill,  wound, 
or  strike  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  the  law 
of  the  country  shall  take  place,  and  equal  jus- 
tice shall  be  rendered,  the  consul  assisting  at  the 
trial ;  but  the  sentence  of  punishment  against  an 
American  citizen  shall  not  be  greater  or  mere 
severe,  than  it  would  be  against  a  Turk  in  the 
same  predicament ;  and  if  any  delinquent  should 
make  his  escape,  the  consul  shall  mt  be  respon- 
sible for  him  in  any  manner  whatever." 

«  The  consul  of  the  United  States  of  Ame- 
rica shall  not  be  required  to  pay  any  customs  or 
duties  whatever  on  any  thing  he  imports  from  a 
foreign  country  for  the  use  of  his  bouse  and 
family." 

«  Should  any  of  the  citizens  of  the  United 
States  of  America  (lie  within  the  limits  of  the 
regency  of  Algiers,  the  dey  and  his  subjects  shall 
not  interfere  with  the  property  of  the  deceased, 
but  it  shall  be  under  the  immediate  direction  of 
the  consul,  imless  otherwise  disposed  of  by  will." 


11 


:| 


328 


AFFENDIX. 


P 


.  Tkc  historian  has  an  unpleasant  task,  in  ht- 
ing  conipelled  to  close  the  detail  of  such  glorious 
i'xploiis,  hy  reconnling  a  misfortune  which, 
\vhilc  it  takes  nothing  from  the  lustre  of  our 
arms,  sinks  grief  deep  into  the  heart  of  the 
(^itizen. 

The  United  States  armed  in  defence  of  their 
vati'^ial  rights,  and  the  liberty  of  the  citizen. 
-From  the  deck  of  his  floating  battery,  Decatur 
demanded  the  release  of  his  fibllow  citizens  held 
in  bondage  :   the  African  tyrant  trembled,  the 
citizen's  chains  fell  from  his  limbs,  and  he  was 
freed — but,  alas !  the  exultation  was  momentary. 
The  United  States'  brig  of  war  E^ervier  was 
despatched  to  the  United  States  to  announce  the 
glaa  tidings,  but  she  did  not  reach  her  destina- 
tion.   She  sailed  on  the  10th  July,  was  seen  oo 
the  8th  August  in  lat.  39,  4,  N.  long.  61, 18,  IV. 
under  double  reefed  topsails  ;  the  next  day  there 
was  u  very  heavy  blow,  and  she  prdiably  foun- 
dered during  the  gale ;  if  not  then,  she  must 
have  been  lost  by  some  subsequent  mishap,  as 
ieojn  the  length  of  time  since  she  was  seen,  no 
hope  remains  of  her  safety ;  and  not  one  sur- 
vived to  tell  the  mournful  event.    On  b»ard  her 
"were  Lt.  cen.  Shubrick ;  lieut.  Baifnwell ;  lieut. 
Brury  ;   sailing  master  "Wright;    midshipmen 
Coulter,  and  Hunter,  and  several  others.    Pas- 
sengers, capt.  Lewis ;  lieuts.  Neal  and  Yarnell. 
The  AmericaQs  released  at  Algiers  were  also  on 
boar4*  *     /     ' 


THB  END. 


.V: 


/ 


k, in  ht- 
i  glorious 
)  which > 
re  of  our 
rt  of  the 

of  their 
D  citizen. 
»  Decatur 
zens  held 
bled,  the 
id  he  ivas 
jmentary, 
irvier  was 
ounce  the 
V  destina- 
iS  seen  on 
5i,18,"W. 
day  there 
ably  foun- 
she  iniist 
mishap^  as 
18  seen,  no 
t  one  sur- 
b«ard  her 
ieW ;  lieut* 
lidshipmen 
ers.    Pas- 
td  YarnelL 
ere  also  on 


i 


329 


INDEX. 


iV 


^.:}X■■ 


.r-a    i 


's  C^ 


Accomack  (Va.)niilitia»  bravery  of,  224.  '    ^ 

Act  declaring  war^  19 ;  vote  of  Congress,  IT. 

Adams  frigate,  destruction  of,  249. 

Adams  and  Caledonia  -  (brigs)  retaken  from  the  eA« 

emy,  58. 
Alert,  British  sloop  of  war,  taken  by  the  Essex,  46. 

Alexandria,  plunder  of,  231  ;  bold  attempt  by  com- 
modore Rodgers,  captains  Porry  and  Porter,  to 
prevent  the  return  of  the  enemy,  ib, 

Algerine  declaration  of  war,  305. 

Algerines,  proceedings  against,  by  the  United  States^ 
see  Appendix.  ,      ,  .  ^^^      . 

Allen,  captain,  bravery  of,  242.       .  % 

Appendix,  313.  '  "       " 

Argus,  U.  S.  brig,  capture  of,  148. 

Armistice  on  the  nor<:hern  frontier,  41;   terminatir 
of,  42. 

Army,  state  of  tbo,  21.  ' 

Arrest  of  a  supposed  spy,  31. 

Asp,  U.  S.  schooner,  brave  defence  of,  1 77. 

Baltimore,  approach  to,  and  attack  on,  232. 

Barbarity  of  the  enemy,  102, 1 84. 

Barney,  commodore,  encounters  of,  with  the  cnemy^ 
225,  226  ;  destruction  of  his  flotilla,  228.  ' , 

Barratarians,  capture  and  dispersion  of,  293. 

Beaver  dams,  engagement  at,  101. 

Belfast  entered  by  the  enemy,  250.  ,  .  /     ,     \. 

Blackrock  visited  by  the  enemy,  104. 

Blue  lights,  193.  ,.  . 

Boxer,  British  brig,  taken  by  the  Enterprize,  149. 

Burrows  and  Blythe,  captains,  funeral  honours  to,  153. 

Bridgewater,  battle  of,  255. 

Belviewfort;  see  fort  Bel  view.  ">■;/' 

Boyd,  general,  succeeds  general  Dearborir,  107. 

cqZ 


^1 


i 


r 


1- 


BSO 


IKDEX. 


I 


British  subjeOtS)  order  rcspectingi  26. 
BrownstowH)  battle  at*  40. 
CaBtine  taken  by  the  enemy*  349. 
Cedar-point)  landing  of  enemy  at,  3S5. 
Champlain)  arrival  of  grand  Briii«th  army  at)  Stsr ; 
arrival  of  before  Plattsburgh,  368 ;  engagement 
Avith  the  American  army,  271 ;  retreat  of  the  ene- 
inyt  272. 
Champlain  lake*  engagement  on,  269. 
Chandler  and  Winder,  generals,  capture  of,  96. 
Chapin,  captain,  escape  of,  103  ;  skirmish  with  the 
enemy,  108 ;   expedition  of,  against  the  enemy, 
'     109  ;  affair  near  fort  George,  156. 
Chaptico,  affair  at,  237.        >. 
Chateaugay,  battle  at,  137; 
Chauncey,  commodore,  cruises  and  transactions  of,  on 

lake  Ontario,  71,  83, 1 10  to  11^. 
Chesapeake  frigate,  restoration  of  tlie  seamen  of,  by 
the  enemy,  26 ;  arrival  of,  from  a  cruise,  79 ;  cap- 
ture of,  90  ;  extraci  Irom  a  French  paper  respect- 
ing, 94  i  treatment  of  the  crew  of,  96. 
Chesapeake  bay,  transactions  in  the,  1 82. 
Chicago,  attack  on,  and  massacre  at,  66. 
Chippewa,  skirmishing  near,  25 1  ;  battle  at,  253. 
Citizens  of  the  U.  Stages  ordered  to  quit  Canada,  45. 
Commissioners  to  negotiate  a  peace,  appointment  of, 

300  ;  by  the  British  government,  501.        ." 
Congress,  proceedings  of,  16, 194. 
Congress,  frigate,  ^arrival  of,  from  a  cruise,  193. 
Constitution,  frigate,  28 ;  engagement  of,  with  tbe^ 

Java,  72. 
Cranberry  creek,  affair  at,  108. 
Crogan,  major  George,  defence  of  Lower  Sandrsky» 

by,  129. 
Cumberland  Island,  landing  of  the  enemy  at,  294. 
Cuyler,  major,  death  of,  59. 
Cyane  and  Levant,  British  sloops,  capture  of,  2%ff. 
Dart>  British  armed  sloop,  capture  of,  19  !• 
Dartmoor  prisop;  massacre  at)  303. 


■XB^- 


INUEX. 


asL 


Oeaiborii}  general)  retires  from  the  army,  107.         ' 
Dearborn,  tort)  massacre  at,  sec  Chicago. 
Oecatur,  commodore,  fleet  under  command  of,  sails 

iirom  New-York,   185;  chased  into  New-London, 

IBd. 
Declat'atton  of  war  by  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians,  106. 
Detention  of  prisoners  of  war,  by  the  enemy,  under 

pretext  that  they  were  British  subjects,  reprisals, 

213,  213  ;  proceedings  of  Congress  thereon,  213. 
Doiroit,  surrender  of,  38. 
Dominic«f  British  schooner,  capture  of  by  the  U.  S. 

schooner  Decatur,  147. 
Duel)  55.  'm  '  V     ,- 

Kagle,  British  tender,  capture  of  the^  190.         -^     ' 
Eastportf  taken  by  the  enemy,  244. 
Eldridge,  lieutenant*  and  several  of  his  men  killed 

by  the  Indians,  105.     ;"    :  ^y'^ ;.?.;' 
Epervier,  British  brigt  taken  by  the  U.  S.  sloop  of 

war  Peacock,  273 ;  foss  of  the,  328. 
Erie*  British  fortt  taken  by  the  Americans)  86)  250 ; 

attempt  of  the  enemy  to  sto'  .n,  258  ;  batteries  of 

the  enemy  stormed,  by  order  of  general  Brown, 

S61 ;  evacuated,  267. 
SssoK  frigate,  cruise  of)  46,  276^  U 

Extracts  from  public  prints,  20, 25.  ^     ' 
Federal  Gazette,  destruction  of  the  office  of  the,  at 

Baltimore,  25. 
Flotilla,  for  the  protection  of  the  Chesapeake  bay,  223^ 
Fort  Bel  vie  W)  desperate  attack  on,  67. 
Fort  Bowyer)  attack  of,  281,  296. 
Fort  Erie,  see  Erie. 
Fort  George,  taken  by  the  Americans,  84^  85  ;  at* 

tack  on  pickets  at,  106,  109. 
Fort  Schlosser,  entered  by  the  enemy,  106. 
Fort  Philipf  defence  of,  988.  <". 

Fort  -WarburtoU)  evacuation  and  destruction  of^  231,. 
Forty-mile-creek,  transactions  at,  99. 
Foster,  Mr.  ^ritisk  miniater)  depavture  of,  3r«.rt. 


3Si 


15DEX. 


it' 


Franklin  boat)  brave  defence  of,  339.  <' 

Frederick  and  Georgetown^  (Md.)  burned)  170. 

French-iniUst  affair  at)  59. 

Frenchtown  ^Raisin)  massacre  of  prisoners  at)  69. 

Frenchtown  (Elk  river)  burned,  169. 

FroliC)  British  sloop)  taken  by  the  Wasp)  6 1 }  both 
sloops  taken  by  the  Poictiers,  62. 

Frolic,  U.  S.  slQop)  taken  by  the  enemy,  274. 

Gaines,  general)  assumes  the  command  at  EriO)  259. 

Gardner's  Island)  affair  at,  188.       r  ,ij.   ;/- 

Gennesee  river,  captures  on,  61. 

George's  Island,  landing  of  the  enemy  thereon)  l&S. 

Georgia  legislature)  proceedings  of)  197. 

Georgetown  burned  by  the  enemy)  170.  , 

Ghent)  negociations  at)  301. 

Growler  and  Eagle)  U.  S.  sloopS)  takea  by  the  enemy 
on  Lake  Champlain)  133. 

Growler  and  Julia,  U.  S.  yesselS)  captured  by  the 
enemy  on  Lake  Ontario,  112.  ... 

GuerrierC)  Brituh  frigate*  capture  of,  43.  '  i 

Gun-boat  No.  121)  taken  by  the  enemy)  180. 

Gun- boats  near  New»Orleaus,  taken  by  the  enemy, 
282. 

Gun-boatS)  attacks  by,  on  the  enemy  near  Sandy- 
Hook  and  New-London,  241. 

Hamilton  and  Scourge,  U^  S.  schooners,  foundered 
on  Lake  Ontario,  111.  ; 

Hampton,  barbarous  proceedings  of  the  enemy  at,  1 73. 

Hardy,  British  commodore,  blockades  the  coast  of 
New-England,  240. 

Harrison,  Wm.  Henry,  appointed  to  the  command  of 
the  North  Western  army,  66  ;  takes  Fort  Maiden, 
123;  pursues  the  enemy,  124.;  overtakes  and  de- 
feats hiiD  at  the  Moravian  towns,  125  ;  discharges 
the  militia)  129;  arrives  with  his  army  at  Black* 
rockj  129.  .  ?'.-:-yrf>--^'3.iM /•.■"T'W  i^i^'i*' 

Harrison  fort,  attack  of,  67. 

Havre-de-grace,  transactions  of  the  enemy  at,  169» 

Historical  retrospect)  7 


IIYDBX. 


sss 


ird.     ' 

at)  69. 
61 }  botli 


Brie,  259. 
rcoii)  l&S. 


he  enemy 
1(1  by  the 

■IK   ,  ■•    ■■ 

.     '  ' '  t 

e  enemy) 

ir  Sandy- 

'oun^ered 

nyat)l7S. 
coast  of 

Kimand  of 
t  Malden» 
s  and  de« 
ischarges 
at  Black* 

\ 

at,  169» 


Hornet,  U.  S;  sloopt  blockades  the  Bonne  Citoycfnne 
in  the  harbour  of  St.  Salvador)  75  ;  engages  and 
captures  the  British  brig  of  war  Peacock)  ib  f 
challenges  captain  Greene  of  the  Bonoe  Citoy- 
enne)79. 

Mull,  general,  appointed  to  command  the  North 
Western  army)  33 ;  seizure  of  his  baggage  and 
hospital  storeS)  34  ;  invades  Canada)  i>  ;  his  proc- 
lamation) ib  J  transactions  in  Canada)  37  ;  evacua- 
tion of  Canada)  ib  ;  effett  on  the  public  mind«  65  • 
his  trial)  315. 

lroprisonn;ent  of  American  citizens  taken  under 
arms,  on  tiic  plea  of  their  being  British  subjects) 
213;  retaliatioii,  i^ ;  report  on  the  subject  made 
to  Congress,  by  the  secretary  of  state,  313. 

Indians,  North  Western)  expeditions  against,  67; 
sue  for  peace)  134 ;  inquiry  by  Congress  respect- 
ing, 194;  southern,  hostility  of)  195;  engage- 
ments with«  195)  IM>  198, 199,  to  301;  pe:;oe  witbj 
211. 

Intercourse,  criminal)  with  the  enemf)  181. 

Izard,  general)  march  of^  from  Plattsburgh  to  New- 
York,  266. 

Jackson,  general,  commands  the  forces  sent  against 
the  southern  Indians,  198. 

Kent  Island,  in  the  Chesapeake)  taken  possession  of 
by  the  enemy)  183. 

La  Cole,  engagement  at,  3 1 8.  ^      \  ■     ' *  - 

Lawrence,  captain,  blockades  the  Bonne  Citoyenne, 
75  ;  captures  the  brig  of  war  Peacock)  ib,  death 
of)  91  ;  honours  to  his  memory,  93)  94. 

LewiS)  commodore,  drives  the  enemy  from  Long- 
Island  Sound)  189  ;  engages  the  enemy,  241. 

Lcwistown,  requisition  on,  168;  bombardment  of,  169. 

Little  York,  in  Canada,  taken  by  the  Americans,  81, 

Long  point,  expedition  to,  223. 

Lower  Marlborough,  burning  of  property  at,  336. 

M'Clure,  address  of,  to  the  patriots  of  the  wentern 
district,  155;  operations  of,  155,  157,  158;  justi- 
fies his  conduct,  164. 


334 


INDEX, 


J*! 


M'Kcon,  captain,  brave  conduct  of,  165. 

M'Donough,  commodore,  defeats  the  enemy  on 
Lake  Champlain,  269.     .   h 

Macedonian,  British  frigatQ,  capture  of,  63. 

Maguago,  battle  of,  41 . 

Massasquoi  bay)  affair  at,  146^   ;.   ;?.     !•■;  1 

Meigs,  fort,  attack  of,  80. 

Michilimackanac,  taken  byjhe  enemy,  28  ;  expedi- 
tion against,  363  ;  barbarous  conduct  of  the  ene- 
my  to  prisoners,  365.  x 

Mims,  fort,  massacre  of  the  garrison  of,  196. 

Mix,  Mr.  attempt  of,  to  destroy  the  Plantagenet  by 
a  torpedo,  178. 

Mobile,  taken  by  general  Wilkinson,  295.   .  ;  - .  ; 

Moravian  towns,  battle  at  the,  125.     .. ,  .-^ ,        ;    hf 
^       Mount  Desart,  affair  at,  243. 

Nautilus,  U.  S.  schooner,  tal^en  by  the  enemy,  27. 

Wavy,  list  of,  21,306.  .   ,  a    •. 

[^   •  i        Negroes,  seizure  of,  184. 

New-Orleans,  approach  of  the  enemy  to,  and  battle 
near,  283. 

New- York,  meeting  in  the  park  of,  247  ;  voluntary 
work  on  the  fortification  of,  248.         .ip<r;*f;  \Y 

Niagara,  fort,  cannonade  of,  54  ;  frontier  ravaged  by 
the  enemy,  159;  defence  of  by  captain  M'Koon, 
165;   taken  by  the  enemy,  159. 

Norfolk,  attack  of,  170  ;  aflair  near,  185.    . 

North  Carolina,  invasion  of,  178. 

0*fioyle,  James,  offers  a  reward  for  the  head  or  ears 
of  Admiral  Cockburn,  176. 

Odeltown,  engagement  at,  218.         :,  -^ ,  :  -,  ^h.,-,  > 

Ogdensburg,  bombardment  of,  60.         ," .  r,  .'*  ., .   .v  ;  1 

O'Neil,  conduet  of,  at  Havre-de-Grace,  1 70,         I 

Oswego,  fort,  attack  of,  219.    .  . 

Otter-creek,  defence  of,  223.        -  ..  ;  i  •  .  ,  v 

Owlhead-narrows,  affair  at,  186.    f*  ^r  ;  f ;  \  . 

1  1  Pagan  creek,  the  enemy  repulsed  at)  176.       !       '^ 

Paris  taken,  216  ;  effect  on  the  war,  216.  2S9.      •    . 

Penny,  Josjiua,  taken  by  the  enemy,  189.  > 


w 


'vt. 


•f:.« 


nemy  on 


;  expedi- 
:  the  ene- 

J. 
6. 
agenet  by 


my,  27. 

and  battle 

voluntary 

avaged  by 
M'Koon, 


5ad  or  ears 

i  ' 


■•"^.-i' 


0. 


259. 


INDEX. 


335 


Pensacola  entered  by  the  American  army,  S96. 

Perry,  commodore)  defeats  and  captureH  the  enemy 
on  lake  Erie,  117  ;  statement  of  the  i'orce  of  the 
American  and  British  fleets,  119;  laconic  letter 
121 ;  co-operates  with  general  Harrison^  123. 

Pettipaug,  capture  of,  by  the  enemy,  240. 

Pike,  general,  death  of,  83. 

Placard,  146.  •  -  '^ 

Plattsburg  entered  by  the  enemy,  133;  battle  at, 
271. 

Point  Petrc,  carried  .by  storm,  294. 

Preface,  3. 

Preparation  for  war,  29.  X  *  : 

President's  message,  14. 

President  frigate,  captured  by  the  enemy,  297. 

Prevost,  general,  proclamation  by,  45. 

Prizes,  number  of,  captured  during  the  war,  308. 

Pultneyville,  enemy  at,  22i. 

Queenstown,  (Chesapeake  bay,)  entered  by  the  en* 
emy,  183. 

Queenston,  battle  of,  46  to  5 1 . 

Recruiting  commenced,  30.    *,      ; 

Reindeer,  British  brig,  taken  by  the  Wasp,  274. 

Rodgers,  commodore,  cruise  of,  22,  74,  153. 

Russian  mediation,  300. 

Sacket's  Harbour^  attack  of,  43,  88.  ■  ^  ,' 

Sand  hills,  affair  at,  183.  <   .t?  t^! 

Sandy  creek,  affair  at,  221. 

Saybrook,  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  land  at,  188." 

Scituate,  enemy  at,  243. 

Scudder's,  Mr.  attempt  to  destroy  the  Ramilies,  187. 

Smyth,  general,  proclamation  of,  52  ;  preparation 
for  a  descent  on  Canada,  55,  abandons  the  design, 
ib.  his  motives,  i6,  statement  by  general  Porter, 
56 ;  duel  ib.  reply  of  general  Smyth  to  general 
Porter's  statement,  57. 

Squam,  enemy  at, '244.  *  ,- 

Stonry  creek,  battle  of,  96 ;  retreat  6f  the  American 
army,  98. 

St.  Lawrence,  successful 


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St.  Lawrence/a  Britiali  ship  of  90  g«iis«  on  lake  On- 
tario,J|66. 

St.  Irilgoei,  landing  of  the  enemf  at,  238. 

St.  Michaera  (Chesapeake  Bay)  attack  on,  182. 

St  Mary's,  capitulation  of,  394. 

St.  Mary's  river,  transactions  on,  297. 

StomngtcAi,  the  enemy's  dath  at,  344. 

Sttspennpn  of  hostilities,  41. 

Syren,.  V,  S.  brig,  capture  of,  bj  the  enemy,  299. 

l>cui|)8eh,  death  of,  138. 

Tennessee  legislature,  resolution  of,  197 

Treat,  captain^  dismissal  from  the  army,  351  ;  trial 
and  acquittal  of,  353. 

Treaty.of  peace'ratified,  303. 

United  States  and  Macedonian,  frigates,  and  Hornet, 
sail  from  New-York,  188;  chased  into  New-Lon- 
don«t^« 

Vikn  Rensselaer  enters  Cauada,  46  ;  takes  a  redoubt 
on  ithe  heights  of  f^ueenston,  48  ;  defeat  and 
surrender  of  the  Aiherican  army,  50  ;  treatment 
of  prisoners,  51;  resignation  of  the  general,  ib  ; 
report  of  colonel  Mullany^  note,  49. 

Vermont,  governor  df,  calls  home  the  militia  from 
the  service  of  the  United  States,  193. 

Viper,  United  States'  brig,  taken  by  the  enemy,  75. 

Vixen,  U.  S.  brig,  taken  bjr  the  enemy,  65. 

War  declared  by  proclamation,  19. 

Warren,  admiral  arrival  of,  at  Halifax,  167  ;  off  N. 
York,  ib.  blockades  the  Chesapeake  bay,  -and  Dela- 
ware, 168  ;  blockades  Loog-lslsi|d  sound,  192. 

WasbingtonNcity,  approach  to,  and  capture  of,  by 
thefenemy,  337,  to  331.  / 

Wetherfbrd,  speech  of,  3 1 1 . 

Wilkinson  general,  proceeds  toward  Montreal,  135  ; 
:  abandons  the  design,  and  goes  into  winter  quar- 
ters, 144. 

Wiliiamsb'urgh,  battle  of  141,  145.  \ 

Williams,  Am.  bravery  of,  1 35. 

Windhester,  general,  defeat  o^at  Frenchtcwn,  68  ; 
masaai^r^  jof  his  men^  69. 


n  lake  On- 


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my*  299* 


351  ;  trial 


md  Hornet, 
New-Lon-   \ 

IS  a  redoubt 

defeat  and 

;  treatment 

;eneral,  ib  i 

nilitia  from 

enemy,  75. 
&5. 

167;  ofTN. 
y,  and  Dela- 
>itnd,  192. 
rture  of,  by 


ntreal,135  ; 


cfatcWD,  68  ,* 


